What term describes encrypted, unreadable data?

Study for the WGU ITAS 2142 D830 Introduction to Cryptography Exam. Review flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What term describes encrypted, unreadable data?

Explanation:
Encrypted, unreadable data is called ciphertext. When you transform readable information (plaintext) with an encryption algorithm, you use a key to turn it into ciphertext, which is designed to look scrambled unless you decrypt it with the right key. The plaintext is the original readable form, the key is the secret value used to perform and reverse the transformation, and the cipher is the algorithm that defines how the data is scrambled. So the unreadable output produced by encryption is ciphertext.

Encrypted, unreadable data is called ciphertext. When you transform readable information (plaintext) with an encryption algorithm, you use a key to turn it into ciphertext, which is designed to look scrambled unless you decrypt it with the right key. The plaintext is the original readable form, the key is the secret value used to perform and reverse the transformation, and the cipher is the algorithm that defines how the data is scrambled. So the unreadable output produced by encryption is ciphertext.

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