Explain what encryption software is?
Most encryption systems involve both an algorithm (a procedure for solving a mathematical problem) and a secret value. The secret value is known as the key. The reason for having a key in addition to the algorithm, is that it is difficult to keep devising new algorithms that will allow reversible scrambling of information, and it is difficult to quickly explain a newly devised algorithm to the person with whom you would like to start communicating securely. The concept of the key is analogous to the combination for a combination lock. You dial in the secret numbers in the correct sequence and the lock opens, you cant open a combination lock without knowing the combination. Today there are both hardware devices and software packages available for encrypting users data files, hard drives and E-mail messages.
