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Definition[]

An encryption algorithm (also called a cryptographic algorithm) is "[a] formula used to convert information into an unreadable format."[1]

An encryption algorithm is

[a] set of instructions for converting understandable data to an incomprehensible cipher, or ciphertext. In practice, the algorithm takes as input the message to be encrypted along with an encryption key and scrambles the message according to a mathematical procedure.[2]

Overview[]

Using an algorithm, information is converted into meaningless ciphertext, which requires the use of a key to convert the ciphertext back into its original form.

References[]

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