Encryption (Image Source PCMag)
Encryption is one of the most discussed topic through out the year 2016. At the beginning of 2016 tech giant Apple was involved in a legal battle with FBI regarding Apple’s encryption technology. This legal battle raises many questions and concerns about encryption.
We are here to shed some light on the encryption technology and to understand whether we need to encrypt our phone or not. Not to discuss about the legal battle.
What is encryption
Before we go further, let me explain, what is encryption-
Encryption is the process of convert readable information in such a way that only authorized parties can read it. Here is a simple example:
Plain message “welcome to linkmeshin blog”
Encrypted message “w2345 5abbjdy3 tas563dfr afdrer 66ggww rt2swe”
Encryption is not a security tool like antivirus or firewall. Some one who do not have authority, will not be able to see the actual message. Authorized user will require another technology called “decryption” to convert the encrypted message to a plain message again. Encryption and decryption is an extremely complex algorithm. A topic that I will discuss in another article.
Who use encryption
Cell phone
In past only government and large corporation used to use encryption in their devices. Present days most the latest mobile and non-mobile(laptop, desktop, tablet etc.) devices available for general consumers comes with encryption technology. If you use upgraded version of Windows 7 or upgraded version of Android or upgraded version OS Mac OS, then you already have the encryption technology in your possession.
Do you actually need encryption ?
For your cell phone – yes, as it the most common device people lost frequently or stolen frequently. For other device it is a personal choice. Here is the most important reason – encryption add protection in case your device is stolen. If your cell phone is stolen, the bad guy will have access to the following-
- Private correspondence (your personal or business contact, email account)
- Personal details (Your home address, personal and family picture)
- Sensitive company information (if your work provide the phone)
- Financial information ( Bank-account information, Credit-card information )
- Social network information (Facebook, Instagram, snap chat and similar other)
- Professional network information (LinkedIn, Twitter and other related network.)
- Social Security numbers(if you save it in your phone)
Even though most thieves will not try too hard to break the encryption, as they are more interested in the device it self. So they will wipe the data and sale it. But still it is a good practice to encrypt the phone.
Final word
Encryption is a method to scramble information for protection. In case you lost your phone or some one stole your phone, your personal information will be safe if you encrypt your phone. Now a days most of us have a regular human life and then a digital life. We do everything to keep our regular life protected and safe. It is time to think seriously about the security of our digital life.
Writer – Rubayat M.
