Title: Encryption Decryption Hashing
Course: Introduction to SSL/PKI > Section: PKI

Encryption Decryption Hashing

Introduction

Encryption is a process that convert clear text into cipher text in order to prevent anyone except the intended recipient from reading the data.

Decryption is the reverse of the encryption process.

The process shown here uses asymmetrical keys. Asymmetrical key could be used (with the right algorithm) for both encryption and decryption.

Encryption

Using an encryption key and an encryption algorithm, a clear text message is converted into cipher text.

Decryption

Using an decryption key and an decryption algorithm, a cipher text message is converted back into clear text.

Hashing

A hash value (or simply hash), also called a message digest is a number generated from a string of text. The hash is substantially smaller then the text itself, and is generated by a formula in such a way that it is extremely unlikely that some other text will generate the same value.