Encryption
What is Encryption?
Scrambling data so only someone with the right key can read it — even if it's stolen.
Why Encryption Matters
Encryption protects lost laptops, intercepted emails, and backed-up files. Turning it on takes minutes and makes stolen data worthless to thieves.
Related Topics
Related Terms
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
An encrypted tunnel that lets you connect to a network as if you were physically plugged into it — safely from anywhere, even on public Wi-Fi. Your traffic is encrypted between your device and the VPN server, so nobody on the same network can snoop on it.
SecurityMFA / Two-Factor Authentication
Logging in with your password plus a second proof of identity — a code from your phone, an authenticator app, a hardware key, or an app approval. Even if someone steals your password, they still can't get in without that second factor.
SecurityBackup (the 3-2-1 rule)
A copy of your files stored somewhere else, so a dead computer doesn't mean dead data. The 3-2-1 rule: keep 3 copies of your data, on 2 different types of media, with 1 copy stored off-site — so a single fire, flood, or ransomware attack can't destroy everything.
BackupRansomware
Malware that encrypts your files and demands payment for the decryption key. It spreads through phishing emails, malicious downloads, or compromised remote access. Paying doesn't guarantee you'll get your files back — and marks you as a target for repeat attacks.
Security