Encryption Explained

What is Encryption?

Encryption is a means of electronic security that involves methodologies facilitated in order to provide the protection of digital and virtual information systems, which are considered to be classified, private, personal, or restricted to viewing on the part of authorized individuals. Electronic trespassing measures undertaken in order to achieve the unlawful entry into – or access of – personal computer terminals belonging to victims of cyber-crime, may include the illicit and unlawful access of informational databases and digital record systems.

Encryption Terminology

The necessity to protect vital – and oftentimes privileged – information has been observable throughout the annals of history; historians have discovered coding and masking techniques with regard to clandestine communication employed for hundreds of years. Modern Encryption techniques have adapted to the growing need of privacy, safety, and protection resulting from a respective ability to access information as per the technological advances of the Digital age.

A cipher is mathematical equation that correlates to the decoding process of a message or text that has been encrypted

A code provides a replacement for a text or message, while a cipher is an encryption methodology that must be deciphered in order to reveal the message or text in question

Administrative Encryption

Cryptology is the scientific field specializing in the development, advancement, and synthesis of the Encryption process The Department of Digital Rights Management (DRM) is considered to be at the forefront of the creation, regulation, authentication, and development of a majority of the Encryption facilitated by the Federal Government.

Why is Encryption Necessary?

Due to the fact that the criminal activity known as ‘Hacking’ is conducted with the intent to commit a crime, Encryption provides for the protection and safety of digital information. Due to technological innovation, electronic identity theft is considered by many to be one of the most recently-developed crimes, credited – in part - to the ongoing advent of computer-based technology. This type of technology relies heavily on the Internet and online activity, and as a result, regulations and oversight of this type of activity has been expressed in the spectrum of preventative measures involving the cessation of electronic identity theft.

Computer Fraud and Identity Theft

Computer fraud is a type of theft involving the criminal act of electronically obtaining the personal – or private – information belonging to another individual or entity through the use of technological – albeit illegal, unlawful, unethical, or fraudulent - means. Within the realm of computer fraud, the criminal act of electronic identity theft is defined as the act of illegally assuming the identity of another human being without their consent with the intent of committing fraud, theft, exploitative acts, and harm.

The receipt of economic gain at the expense of victims of identity fraud takes place through the deliberate misrepresentation of personal information or private data; in many cases, this type of electronic data is attained through the electronic infiltration with regard to computer systems containing electronic data.

How to Prevent Electronic Identity Theft

Companies providing methods of Identity theft prevention - including Lifelock, which is one of the most widely-acclaimed and recognized – have employed protective measures ranging from securing online perimeters to communicative transmission inquiring about the validity of unsubstantiated activity; these types of companies have found their respective niche within the prevention of identity fraud upon providing protection in lieu of infringing on personal privacy.

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