One way we protect our data is through a process called “encoding.” But what exactly is encoding, and how does it keep our information secure? 

Encoding is like creating a secret code for your information. 

Types of Encoding

There are two common methods used to encode data

  1. Encryption
  2. Hashing

Encryption

Encryption is a process that transforms your data into a format that can only be read by someone who has the right key to decode it. 

There are two main types of encryption:

  1. Symmetric Encryption: Uses the same key for both encoding (locking) and decoding (unlocking). Both the sender and the receiver must have the same key. It’s fast but requires a secure way to share the key.
  2. Asymmetric Encryption: Uses a pair of keys – one public and one private. The public key is used to encode the data, and the private key is used to decode it. This means you can share your public key openly without compromising security, as only the private key can decode the information.

Hashing

Hashing is another way to protect data, but it works differently than encryption. When you hash data, you run it through a special function that transforms it into a fixed-length string of characters, which looks like a jumble of letters and numbers. 

The important thing about hashing is that it’s a one-way process. Once data is hashed, you can’t easily turn it back into its original form. This makes hashing great for storing passwords. When you enter your password, it’s hashed and compared to the stored hash. If they match, you gain access.

Why is Encoding Important?

Encoding helps protect your data from unwanted access in several ways:

  1. Confidentiality:  Ensures that only authorized people can read the data.
  2. Integrity: Helps detect if the data has been tampered with.
  3. Authentication: Verifies that the data comes from a trusted source.

Real-Life Example

Think of your online banking. When you log in, your password is hashed to check it against the stored hash without exposing your actual password. The data sent between your computer and the bank’s server is encrypted, so if anyone intercepts it, they can’t read it without the decryption key.

Whether it’s through encryption or hashing, encoding ensures that only the right people can access and understand your data, protecting your privacy and security.