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encryption

 - 5 dictionary results

en⋅crypt

[en-kript]
–verb (used with object)
to encipher or encode.

Origin:
1940–45; en- 1 + -crypt (abstracted from cryptic, cryptography, etc.), modeled on encode


en⋅cryp⋅tion, en⋅cryp⋅ta⋅tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To encryption
en·crypt   (ěn-krĭpt)   
tr.v.   en·crypt·ed, en·crypt·ing, en·crypts
  1. To put into code or cipher.

  2. Computer Science To alter (a file, for example) using a secret code so as to be unintelligible to unauthorized parties.


[en-1 + (de)crypt.]
en·cryp'tion n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

encryption

The process of encoding a message so that it can be read only by the sender and the intended recipient. Encryption systems often use two keys, a public key, available to anyone, and a private key that allows only the recipient to decode the message. (See also cryptography.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Financial Dictionary

encryption

The manipulation of data to prevent accurate interpretation by all but those for whom the data is intended. Financial institutions use encryption to increase the security of data transmitted via the Internet.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Computing Dictionary

encryption algorithm, cryptography
Any procedure used in cryptography to convert plaintext into ciphertext (encrypted message) in order to prevent any but the intended recipient from reading that data.
Schematically, there are two classes of encryption primitives: public-key cryptography and private-key cryptography; they are generally used complementarily. Public-key encryption algorithms include RSA; private-key algorithms include the obsolescent Data Encryption Standard, the Advanced Encryption Standard, as well as RC4.
The Unix command crypt performs a weak form of encryption. Stronger encryption programs include Pretty Good Privacy and the GNU Privacy Guard.
Other closely related aspects of cryptograph include message digests.
(2003-04-12)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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