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Article by NortonLifeLock APAC senior director, Mark Gorrie.

Were you ever guilty of passing notes at school? If so, you'll remember all-too-well the dread of those notes being intercepted by someone not meant to read them like a bully or worse, your teacher.

Sending data over the internet is much the same. Your digital life, including bank and credit information, personally identifiable information, and even social site login details, is vulnerable when sent on unprotected networks. In fact, a recent cyber safety report showed that 33 per cent of New Zealanders experienced cybercrime in the past 12 months.

That's where VPN encryption may help.

What is encryption?

Encryption is a process that scrambles readable text so it canonly be read by the person who has the secret codeor decryption key. It helpsprovide data security for sensitive information.

Encryption takes plain text, like a text message or email, andscrambles it into an unreadable format called "ciphertext." This helpsprotect the confidentiality of digital data stored on computer systemsor transmittedthrough a network like the internet.Then, when the intended recipient accesses the message, the informationis translated back to its original form - decryption.To unlock the message, both the sender and the recipient mustuse a "secret" encryption key a collection of algorithms that scramble andunscramble data back to a readable format.

How does encryption keep the internet secure?

It's nearlyimpossible to do business of any kind without your personal data ending up inan organisation's networked computer system, which is why it's important to knowhow to help keep that dataprivate.Encryption plays an essential role in this task.

Most legitimate websites use the encryption protection called"secure sockets layer" (SSL), which is a form of encrypting data that is sentto and from a website. This keeps attackers from accessing that data while itis in transit.

Want to make sure a site is using this technology? Look for thepadlock icon in the URL bar and the "s" in the "https://". If you see thesesigns, you'll know that you are conducting secure, encrypted transactionsonline.

Whydoes encryption matter?

A 2022 cyber safety report, conducted online in partnership with The Harris Poll among 1,000 adults in New Zealand, revealed that cybercrime victims in New Zealand surveyed spent an average of 4.8 hours trying to resolve their issues, with an average loss of $135NZD from cybercrime.

Canscammers use encryption to commit cybercrimes?

Encryption is designed to protect your data but canalso be used against you. Targetedransomwareis a cybercrime that can impact organisations of all sizes,including government offices.Ransomware can also target individual computerusers.

How do ransomware attacks occur?

Attackers deploy ransomware toencrypt a victim's various devices, includingcomputers and servers. Theattackers often demand a ransom before they will provide the key to decrypt theencrypted data. The goal is to persuade victims to pay to recoveraccess to their important files,data, video and images.

Ransomware attacks against government agencies can shut downservices, making it hard to get a permit, obtaina marriage license, or pay atax bill, for instance.

Ransomware attacks aimed at large organisations and governmentagencies tend to generate the biggest headlines. But ransomware attacks canalso happen to you.

How can you protect yourself against ransomware?

Here are some tips to protect your devices against ransomware attacks and the risk of having your data encrypted and inaccessible.

What is encryption used for?

It's important to encrypt the messages,files, and data you send whenever they are personal, sensitive, orclassified. For example, you don't want hackers to intercept your doctor's emails about an illness. You don't want criminals toaccess your financial information after logging into your online bank account.And you don't want scammers to snag that confidential report you are reviewingfor your employer. So it's essential to encrypt all this data to keep it secret.

What is the strongest encryption method?

Several encryption methods are consideredeffective. Advanced Encryption Standard, better known as AES, is apopular choice among those who want to protect their data and messages. AES istrusted, effective, used worldwide, and might just be what stands between you and a cybercriminal attack.

See the article here:
Encryption: What it is, how it can help, and what to watch out for - SecurityBrief Australia