Today s encryption systems rely on sophisticated mathematical formulas and computer algorithms. Cryptography, the process of encrypting and decrypting messages, enables digital video, voice, and data to be encrypted for secure transmission across the Internet. Ciphertext - the plaintext message after it has been encrypted into unreadable form. Encryption algorithm - the mathematical formula used to encrypt the plaintext into ciphertext and vice versa. Key - the secret key used to encrypt and decrypt a message.
Different keys produce different ciphertext when used with the same algorithm.
Different algorithms are used to encrypt messages. Even with a known algorithm, the message is still secure as long as the key is unknown. To break an encrypted message, sophisticated computer programs can try all possible keys until the message is decrypted. Computer brute force attacks have deciphered keys up to 56 bits. Home Public and Private Key Private or symmetric key encryption uses the same key for encryption and decryption.