What does encryption do?

What does encryption do?

• A. Encryption converts plaintext to ciphertext; decryption converts ciphertext back to plaintext using keys.
• B. Encryption compresses data to save space.
• C. Encryption adds digital signatures to files.
• D. Encryption stores keys in a secure vault.

Answer: (A)

Encryption is the process of turning readable data (plaintext) into unreadable data (ciphertext) so others can’t understand it. The important part is that only someone with the correct key can reverse the process and recover the original plaintext. This protection works whether the same key is used to both encrypt and decrypt (symmetric) or different keys are used (asymmetric), with the right key enabling access to the original message. So the best description is that encryption converts plaintext to ciphertext and decryption converts ciphertext back to plaintext using keys. Compression, digital signatures, and storing keys in a secure vault are separate concepts and not what encryption itself does.

Encryption is the process of turning readable data (plaintext) into unreadable data (ciphertext) so others can’t understand it. The important part is that only someone with the correct key can reverse the process and recover the original plaintext. This protection works whether the same key is used to both encrypt and decrypt (symmetric) or different keys are used (asymmetric), with the right key enabling access to the original message. So the best description is that encryption converts plaintext to ciphertext and decryption converts ciphertext back to plaintext using keys.

Compression, digital signatures, and storing keys in a secure vault are separate concepts and not what encryption itself does.