How Does File Encryption Work?
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Whole File Encryption
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Whole file encryption is the process of encrypting an entire file by use of a first-party or third-party software solution. The encrypting software rearranges the data of the file using an encryption algorithm, rendering it unable to be read or run until the file has been decrypted. The length of the algorithm determines the difficulty that another program or programmer would have in decrypting the data without the use of the encryption algorithm; the more complex the algorithm is (in terms of its bit size), the more difficult it will be to break. The most common encryption types are 32-bit, 64-bit, 128-bit, and 256-bit.
Client-Side Encryption
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Client-side encryption is an encryption method that is used by servers to encrypt data on a computer that has connected to them. This is done before data is transferred to the server, ensuring that the data can't be read even if it is intercepted before it reaches the server. Depending on the settings of the server, the data may be automatically decrypted once it has been successfully uploaded or (more likely) may remain encrypted until it has been downloaded onto another (or the same) authorized client computer. Though similar encryption techniques may be used for both whole file encryption and client-side encryption, the difference lies in the reasons that both types occur; whole file encryption is used as a general security feature, whereas client-side encryption is used to ensure the safe transfer of data.
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Decryption
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Decryption of encrypted data generally requires the original algorithm that was used to encrypt the data in the first place. If a standard encryption software package was used, then the software may be able to decrypt it automatically, but some software may require a specific decryption "key" to be entered as well. Decryption can be password-protected for additional security, with an encrypted file requiring a password to be entered before the decryption process can begin. While it is possible to "crack" some types of encryption and be able to decrypt the file without the use of the original algorithm, it is generally a time-consuming process that can result in corrupt or damaged data.
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