The internet is big…who’d’ve thought?
Big spaces mean big opportunities and plenty of convenience, but they also bring risks.
Hackers, advertisers, and even governments are accessing millions of people’s information to leverage it for their own gain or motives.
This is where encryption helps.
Imagine sending a letter, but instead of popping it straight into the mailbox, you lock it in an unbreakable box that only the intended recipient can open.
That’s essentially what encryption does for your online data, transforming your sensitive information into a jumbled mess that only the recipient can decipher.
Table of Content
101 of Encryption
When you shop online, check your balance, or send a private message, encryption works in the background to protect your data.
Modern encryption uses complex algorithms to protect information like passwords, credit card details, and personal messages.
Encryption scrambles your data, making it unreadable to anyone who doesn’t have the right key, ensuring that someone trying to steal data only sees a jumble of characters with no meaning.
Encryption – From Theory to Practice
When you shop online, your payment details are protected by encryption protocols like SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security).
Apps like WhatsApp use end-to-end encryption to make sure only you and the recipient can read your conversations.
When you log onto email, encryption protects your credentials from prying eyes.
How VPNs come into play
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) adds another layer of security by encrypting your internet traffic. When you use a VPN by Surfshark, for example, your data is protected by AES-256 encryption, which is considered the most secure encryption algorithm available and used by banks and governments.
By encrypting your connection, a VPN prevents hackers, internet service providers (ISPs), and trackers from seeing what you do online.
Why Encryption is Important for Online Privacy
The internet is a vast landscape of cat videos, trends, interesting tidbits, and, yes, unfortunately, a lot of crime and threats, too.
Like a big city, there’s always something you should be keeping an eye out for.
From cybercriminals trying to steal your identity to companies collecting data without your consent, encryption protects against these risks by keeping your information safe. For example, without encryption, your ISP can monitor your activity and sell your browsing data to advertisers.
Governments in certain countries impose internet surveillance, tracking everything people do online. Encryption means your digital footprint remains private and inaccessible to unwanted third parties.
Key Principles of Well-protected Data
There are several steps you can take to maximize your online security:
- Enable HTTPS everywhere: websites with HTTPS use encryption. Avoid entering sensitive information on sites using only HTTP.
- Encrypt your devices. Enable built-in encryption on your devices. This can help protect your data if your device is stolen.
- Use a variety of cybersecurity tools, such as a VPN.
- Use encrypted messaging apps, such as Signal or WhatsApp.
- Be cautious with public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi spots are particularly vulnerable to hackers.
There’s nothing like tomorrow…
Nothing slows down in tech. It’s been our culture for the last century and a half: a relentless pursuit of better and stronger and faster.
Encryption is bound up in that wave of excellence and agitation, too. The late 2020s will no doubt see quantum computing come closer to the fore. (Quantum, a true sci-fi word.)
But researchers aren’t pushing on the offensive without considering their defense: there are quantum-resistant encryption techniques on the rise too. Growing concerns over our privacy online are pushing governments and tech companies to implement stronger security measures. You won’t get far online without encryption.
You’ll be too exposed. Whether you’re sending an email, making a payment, or just browsing, encryption is working in the background. It’s all around us, omnipresent.
By using tools like VPNs and secure messaging apps, you can take more control of your online privacy.