Encrypts

Encrypts is the present-tense third-person singular form of the verb encrypt. In information security, to encrypt a message or data means to convert readable plaintext into ciphertext using an algorithm and a key, with the aim of preventing unauthorized access.

An encryption method can be classified as symmetric, where the same key is used to encrypt and decrypt, or asymmetric, where a public key encrypts and a corresponding private key decrypts. Common symmetric algorithms include AES and ChaCha20; common asymmetric algorithms include RSA and elliptic-curve cryptography (ECC). Some algorithms provide authenticated encryption, which simultaneously ensures confidentiality and integrity, such as AES-GCM or ChaCha20-Poly1305.

Encryption is widely used to protect data in transit, such as TLS/HTTPS connections, and data at rest, such as disk encryption and database encryption. It is also used in email, messaging, and digital signatures. Effective encryption depends on proper key management, strong algorithms and good implementation, including secure random number generation and protection against side-channel and implementation flaws.

Limitations include the need for secure key exchange, potential performance costs, and legal or policy constraints in some jurisdictions. Encryption does not by itself guarantee privacy or security if endpoints are compromised or if metadata is exposed.