Data has become one of the most valuable assets in the digital world. From online banking transactions to personal messages on social media, almost everything we do involves the exchange of sensitive information. With cyber threats growing rapidly, keeping this data safe is more important than ever. One of the most powerful ways to protect data is through encryption. Understanding Data Encryption Data encryption is the process of converting plain text into unreadable code, also called ciphertext. This ensures that even if unauthorized individuals access the information, they cannot make sense of it without the decryption key. For example, if you send your credit card number to an online shopping website, encryption ensures that hackers cannot read it if they intercept the data. There are two main types of encryption: Symmetric Encryption: Uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. It is faster but requires safe sharing of the key. Asymmetric Encryption: Uses two keys a publ...