Computer Science – Encryption | e-Consult

Encryption is essential for protecting data transmitted over a network because it prevents unauthorized access to the information. Without encryption, data can be intercepted by malicious actors during transmission. This interception can lead to a breach of confidentiality, where sensitive information like passwords, financial details, or personal data can be read by someone who shouldn't have access.

Furthermore, encryption can help ensure data integrity. Encryption algorithms often include mechanisms to detect if the data has been tampered with during transmission. If the data is altered, the decryption process will fail or produce incorrect results, alerting the recipient to the modification. This is crucial for preventing data corruption and ensuring the reliability of information.

Common risks without encryption include:

• Eavesdropping: An attacker intercepts the data in transit.
• Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks: An attacker intercepts and potentially modifies the data exchanged between two parties.
• Data theft: Unauthorized access to stored or transmitted data.