Encryption
ELI5 — The Vibe Check
Encryption is scrambling your message into gibberish so only someone with the secret decoder ring can read it. Imagine writing a note in a secret language only your best friend knows — anyone who steals it just sees nonsense. That's encryption.
Real Talk
Encryption is the process of converting plaintext data into ciphertext using an algorithm and a key. Only parties with the correct decryption key can reverse the process and read the original data.
Show Me The Code
// AES encryption with Node.js crypto
import { createCipheriv, randomBytes } from 'crypto';
const key = randomBytes(32);
const iv = randomBytes(16);
const cipher = createCipheriv('aes-256-cbc', key, iv);
let encrypted = cipher.update('secret message', 'utf8', 'hex');
encrypted += cipher.final('hex');
When You'll Hear This
"We encrypt all data before storing it." / "The traffic is encrypted with TLS."
Related Terms
Asymmetric Encryption
Asymmetric encryption uses two different keys — one to lock (public key), one to unlock (private key).
Decryption
Decryption is using the secret decoder ring to turn scrambled gibberish back into a readable message.
HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)
HTTPS is HTTP but with a bodyguard. All the data flying between your browser and the website is scrambled so nobody can spy on it.
Private Key
A private key is the secret key that only YOU keep. It can decrypt messages encrypted with your public key, or sign messages to prove they came from you.
Public Key
A public key is like your open mailbox — anyone can drop a message in it (encrypt data with it), but only you have the key to open the box and read it (you...
Symmetric Encryption
Symmetric encryption uses the same key to lock and unlock data. Like a house key — whoever has a copy can both lock and unlock the door.