decrypted

Decrypted is the past participle of the verb decrypt, and is used to describe data that has been converted from ciphertext back into readable plaintext. Decryption is the reverse operation of encryption, the process by which readable information is produced from encrypted data. In most systems, decryption requires the appropriate credentials, such as a cryptographic key or a private key in asymmetric schemes, and the correct algorithm.

In symmetric encryption, the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. In asymmetric encryption, the decryption key is separate from the key used to encrypt, typically a private key corresponding to a public key. Decryption may also involve steps such as removing padding and verifying data integrity. Common algorithms used for decryption include AES for symmetric schemes and RSA or ECC for asymmetric schemes, among others.

Decryption can fail for several reasons: an incorrect or compromised key, corrupted ciphertext, or weaknesses in the algorithm or its implementation. When successful, the decrypted plaintext should reproduce the original data, assuming proper padding handling and no data loss.

In practice, authorized decryption is essential for data recovery, secure communications, digital forensics, and lawful access in certain contexts. Unauthorized decryption, by contrast, is illegal in many jurisdictions and subject to privacy and security laws. Decryption is a component of broader security architectures that pair confidentiality with authentication, integrity, and access controls.