Correct Answer:
B. Encryption
Data security is paramount in modern computing, and various techniques are employed to protect information from unauthorized access or alteration. One fundamental method involves transforming data into an unreadable state.
- Encryption is the correct answer. Encryption is the process of converting information or data into a code, called ciphertext, to prevent unauthorized access. The original data, known as plaintext, is transformed using an algorithm and an encryption key, making it unreadable to anyone without the correct decryption key. Its primary purpose is to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data, whether it's stored or transmitted.
- Decryption is incorrect. Decryption is the reverse process of encryption, where the encrypted data (ciphertext) is converted back into its original, readable format (plaintext) using a decryption key.
- Compression is incorrect. Compression is the process of reducing the size of data to save storage space or reduce transmission time. While it can be used in conjunction with encryption, its primary goal is not security.
- Transmission is incorrect. Transmission refers to the act of sending data from one point to another, such as over a network. It describes the movement of data, not its transformation for security purposes.