Is Encryption Illegal?
You may see the term "encryption" mentioned online in conjunction with technologies that could potentially be used for illegal purposes, such as BitTorrent file-sharing software. Encryption protects data or data transmissions by using an algorithm to convert information to junk data that cannot be read without using a key to decode it. Although encryption can be used to obfuscate illegal activity, encryption is legal.
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Network Encryption
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Most wireless routers can encrypt transmissions. With encryption disabled, anyone within range of a router can use monitoring software to intercept and read transmissions. By enabling your router's encryption feature and placing a secret key on every connected computer, you prevent intruders from connecting to your network or viewing the information you send over the Internet. The most common encryption standards for wireless routers are Wi-Fi Protected Access and Wired Equivalent Privacy.
Email Encryption
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The most common form of email encryption is Pretty Good Privacy. Using PGP requires the originator and recipient of a message to have PGP-compatible software installed and possess the sender's encryption key. PGP encrypts a message before sending it. If the message is intercepted at any point between the original and destination computers, it is impossible to read. Some email providers also offer Transport Layer Security or Secure Sockets Layer encryption.
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Website Encryption
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Many websites that require user names and passwords -- such as email and banking websites -- use encryption to prevent a third party from stealing users' login credentials. Typically, a Web browser displays an icon of a padlock on the address bar or at the bottom of the screen when displaying a website with an encrypted login page. The most common forms of Web encryption are Transport Layer Security and Secure Sockets Layer. The service may also use encryption on its servers to protect databases containing user information.
Storage Device Encryption
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Some portable storage devices such as USB flash drives and portable hard drives have built-in encryption that makes it impossible for a thief to view the contents of the device. When the device is connected to a computer, it launches a utility that requests the owner's password. Entering the password allows the contents of the device to be read and modified. If the correct password is not provided, the device remains unreadable. In some cases, an encrypted device may erase itself if the correct password is not provided. Two common forms of encryption for USB devices are Advanced Encryption Standard and Data Encryption Standard.
BitTorrent Encryption
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BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file-sharing program that allows users to share content without a central server. Encryption makes it possible to secure a file-sharing session and prevent an eavesdropper from seeing the content exchanged. BitTorrent is only illegal when it is used to exchange copyright-protected content without the owner's permission.
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