Encryption is a process of translating a message, called the Plaintext, into an encoded message, called the Ciphertext. This is usually accomplished using a secret Encryption Key and a cryptographic Cipher.
Two basic types of Encryption are commonly used:
Symmetric Encryption, where a single secret key is used for both encryption and decryption. Asymmetric Encryption, where a pair of keys is used -- one for Encryption and the other for Decryption. Some interesting politics surround strong Encryption:
Strong (i.e., hard to break) Encryption algorithms are considered to be a munitions by the United States government. Exporting such algorithms therefore amounts to arms smuggling -- a very serious offence! Some countries (i.e., France) forbid their citizens from using strong Encryption. Strong encryption algorithms are freely available everywhere in the world, on the Internet. In the United States, it is possible to patent an algorithm, including an Encryption Cipher. This can limit who can make such algorithms.
