What is encryption, and how does it protect my online activity?

Encryption is a technique used to secure digital data. It is a process of converting plain text into a coded form that can only be read by someone with the decryption key. The encryption key is a complex mathematical algorithm that is used to encode the data, making it unreadable to anyone who doesn't have the key.

Encryption plays an important role in protecting online activity by ensuring that sensitive information is kept secure. When you send data over the internet, it travels through various networks, and there is always a risk that the data could be intercepted and read by someone who shouldn't have access to it. Encryption ensures that even if your data is intercepted, it cannot be read because it is coded.

Encryption is used to protect a wide range of online activities, including email, instant messaging, file sharing, online banking, and e-commerce transactions. Without encryption, sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal data would be vulnerable to theft and misuse.

Overall, encryption is a critical tool for protecting online privacy and preventing cyberattacks. By encoding sensitive information, encryption helps to ensure that online activity remains private and secure.