Cryptography is the science of cryptography, encryption and encryption. But now we will not talk about spy affairs, but about the security of Internet connections. Every time these concepts are mentioned regarding the use of the international network, the majority of Internet users vaguely imagine something complex that is difficult to understand. And so it is – it’s about technology, protocols, certificates, codes and coding, etc. But you do not need to understand them to take advantage of them.
What Does Encrypted Information Mean?
We create and exchange a huge amount of information every day. An increasingly significant part of it relates to our personal data, our bank cards and accounts, important company projects and contracts, payments and what not. Getting into someone else’s hands causes trouble that no one would want. Encryption comes to the rescue.
It is the encryption of information that turns plain, intelligible text into an incomprehensible string of characters. It applies to any of its forms – documents, files, messages, emails, passwords, etc. Encrypted information is virtually inaccessible to everyone except the person who has the key to decrypt it. This incomparably increases its security when storing and exchanging on the Internet.
Deciphering it (decrypting, decoding) is the transformation of illegible text into legible, understandable, open. It is done using a special code called a key. For information only, we will mention that in terms of keys, encryption can be:
- symmetrical – encryption and decryption are performed with the same key;
- asymmetric – with one key it is encrypted, with another it is decrypted. This includes public key encryption. It is publicly available and encrypts the information, and the decoding is done with a private one, which is accessible only to the specific user. The key itself is a larger or smaller set of numbers. The more numbers, the more reliable the key and, accordingly, the encrypted connection.
Of course, encryption and decryption are performed by special programs installed in the sending and receiving machine (server).
What Is the Difference Between an Encrypted and an Unencrypted Connection
The encrypted connection is made between the server on which the site is uploaded and the client browser via special protocols (SSL). They are a guarantee that communication between client and server cannot be intercepted and manipulated. The protection provided by the so-called SSL certificates makes the connection secure enough for:
- surfing the Internet and social networks;
- entrance to the site itself;
- data transfer;
- payments with bank cards – credit, debit, etc.
If the connection is unencrypted, it means that the information you share is very vulnerable and accessible even to not very skilled hackers. And this can cause you serious problems. Even when you don’t share anything significant, you hardly want anyone to delve into your stuff without your knowledge.
How to Recognize an Encrypted Connection
The easiest way to find out if the site you’re communicating with is trusted by looking at the web address listed in your browser window. If it starts with https, the site uses an SSL certificate to encrypt the connection. On the left before his name there will be an icon – a padlock. Clicking on it will open a window where you will receive information about the certificate, its issuer and to whom it was issued.
When the icon is a triangle with an exclamation point or a circle with a small “and” in Latin in it, instead of https is written http or Not secure (“No protection”) , it is better not to enter personal data on it, do not upload or download files.
Encryption is only concerned with the reliability of connections between servers and visitors and does not protect you from malware and hackers.