The Differences Between Security Envelopes & Encryption
You hear a lot of terms being thrown around when discussing computer network and email security. Security envelope, electronic envelope and encryption are all popular terms that are used in this discussion. However the difference between a security envelope and encryption should be made clear to avoid confusion among email and Internet users.
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Encryption
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Encryption is the conversion of data into a coded form that can only be read by the intended recipient. Encryption is an ancient art form, and it was often used by the military, which developed codes to secretly pass orders and messages. In electronic encryption, the computer takes your text and translates it into symbols using a mathematical algorithm. The recipient's computer will have the code to translate the data back into legible information.
Electronic Envelope
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An electronic envelope is meant to serve the same purpose as a physical envelope. So, if you were to write an email, there would be text above and below your message that would act as the header and footer. Think of the header and footer as the physical envelope around a letter, with the information about where the letter is going and where it came from.
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Security Envelope
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A security envelope is an electronic envelope that has additional security features. A security envelope may be encrypted so that only the proper recipients can decode that the message is meant for them. These security envelopes are meant to resist electronic snooping and to stop anyone except the person the message is meant for peeking inside the envelope.
Layered Security
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Often, encryption and security envelopes are used together to create layered security on Internet messages. The actual text of the message may be encrypted and then placed into an electronic security envelope. The envelope can then be encrypted as well, making it even tougher to break into so that the message inside is safe from prying eyes.
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