encryption algorithm

An encryption algorithm is a method used to convert readable information (plaintext) into a coded form (ciphertext) to protect it from unauthorized access. It uses a specific set of rules, called a key, to scramble the data so that only someone with the correct key can unscramble and read it. Think of it like locking a message in a secure box that can only be opened with the right combination. This process ensures that even if the data is intercepted, it remains unintelligible to anyone without the key, maintaining privacy and security.