Summary

Def 1

Encryption is a means of securing digital data using one or more mathematical techniques, along with a password or “key” used to decrypt the information. The encryption process translates information using an algorithm that makes the original information unreadable. ref

Def 2

Encryption is the process of using a to convert plain text messages to unreadable ciphertext.

Decryption: is the reverse of that process.

cipher

A cryptographic algorithm, set of mathematical steps taken to secure a message.

ciphertext

(plain text) = ciphertext cryptography messages, plain text message encrypted with cipher.