How does encryption protect data?

• A. It encodes data so it can only be read by authorized users
• B. It compresses data to save storage space
• C. It deletes data permanently from systems
• D. It increases internet browsing speed

Answer: (A)

Encryption protects data by encoding it in such a way that only authorized users, who possess the correct decryption key or password, can access the original information. This process transforms readable data, known as plaintext, into an unreadable format called ciphertext. Unauthorized users, even if they intercept the encrypted data, cannot read or make sense of it without the appropriate key.

In contrast, the other options present different functions. Compressing data, for example, reduces its size to save storage space but does not enhance security. Deleting data permanently removes it from a system, which does not provide protection; instead, it eliminates the data altogether. Lastly, increasing internet browsing speed pertains to performance and connectivity, which is unrelated to how data is secured or protected.