Which term is described as the process of converting plaintext into ciphertext?

• A. Cipher
• B. Plaintext
• C. Ciphertext
• D. Key

Answer: (A)

When you convert readable data into coded data, you’re performing encryption. The tool that carries out that transformation is called a cipher—the algorithm or method that defines how plaintext becomes ciphertext. So, in this context, the term that describes the mechanism used to turn plaintext into ciphertext is cipher. The other terms refer to what you start with (plaintext) and what you end up with (ciphertext), or the secret parameter that guides the transformation (the key). Thus, cipher is the best fit for describing the process in this question.