What it is
Encryption is a method of converting data in human readable form into a secret code.
How it works
There are many different types of encryption that you interact with every day.
Websites and HTTPS
Encryption (also called asymmetric key encryption) is used when websites are set up to use HTTPS. You can tell a website uses HTTPS by looking at, or double clicking, the URL in your browser.
When you access a website using HTTPS, all the information you enter in to it is encrypted before it's sent back to the website owner. The website owner holds the key to turn the secret code back into human readable form.
If an attacker was able to view the information in that connection, they would only be able to see the secret code.
Device passwords and PIN
Newer operating systems for mobile phones, tablets and laptops ask you to set a PIN or password when you set them up.
This password is used as an encryption key (also called symmetric key encryption) and is needed to unlock and access data on the device.
If someone steals your phone, they would need that secret key in order to unlock the device and access the data.
How to protect yourself using encryption
You’ll often find the option to enable device or data encryption in the settings menu of your device. Search for 'encryption' and it should prompt you to create your key. Depending on your device, it might be called something different – for example, on a Mac it might be called 'FileVault'.
