End-to-end Encryption (E2EE). What Is It and How It Helps

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In the current communication environment where time is essential and everybody needs to be as efficient as possible, messaging has become an important component of our daily life. Common to both individuals and businesses, the habit of using all sorts of apps for sending and receiving messages can sometimes become a threat as not all apps implement end-to-end encryption.

In this article, I am going to talk about end-to-end encryption and how it works, why it became essential, its advantages and downsides, and, of course, its applicability.

What Is End-to-end Encryption?

End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE is a method to secure data communication between 2 parties by applying encryption in such a way that only the targeted recipient can decrypt/read it.

As it moves to its destination, it is impossible for third parties such as internet or app service providers, cybercriminals, or even governments to read or interfere in any way with the message. Simply put, by encrypting communication for both ends (sender and recipient), end-to-end encryption stops anyone who is not involved in the discussion from reading personal conversations.

This way, third parties will not be able to access the cryptographic keys required to decrypt the conversation.

How Does End-to-end Encryption Work?

In essence, end-to-end encryption (E2EE) changes human-readable plaintext to incoherent text, also known as ciphertext. In other words, it takes a legible message and changes it so that it appears haphazard.
 
There are two types of encryption – asymmetric and symmetric:

Asymmetric encryption (public key encryption) uses two keys that are mathematically connected – one for encryption and the other for decryption. It’s frequently referred to as public key encryption because the individuals who use it make the encryption key public (and can be shared with others) while keeping the decryption key private. In this situation, the sender and the recipient use two different keys.

Here is how asymmetric encryption works:

• Person A creates two keys: one public, one private and sends the public one to person B through different channels;
  
• Person B encrypts the message with the public key they received and sends it to person A using any on hand channel;
  
• Person A decrypts the data sent by person B with the secret private key they created.
  

Symmetric key encryption is a type of encryption where only one key is used to encrypt and decrypt the information. In this situation, both sender and recipient must exchange it so it can be used for reading the conversation. It is essential for both entities involved to keep the key confidential for the privacy of the information.

There are basically three steps when it comes to symmetrical encryption:

• Person A uses an encryption key to encrypt a message they want to send to person B;
  
• Because this message is a ciphertext no one except person B can read it;
  
• Thanks to the selected decryption key, person B can change person A’s message back to an intelligible form.
  

Benefits of End-to-end EncryptionPrivate data is protected against hacking campaigns. When using end-to-end encryption, only the sender and the intended recipient have access to unencrypted data. For example, if the email service that stores your data happens to be compromised, cybercriminals will not be able to decrypt the data within as they lack the decryption keys.

Everyone has the right to keep their personal data private. E2EE protects free speech and safeguards oppressed individuals.

Complete control. The end-to-end encryption method gives the sender full control of the process. No matter where the information moves, the data owner can change controls, revoke access, or restrict sharing.

Great flexibility. The user can decide what data to encrypt, usually highly sensitive data.

No one can change the message. End-to-end encrypted messages can’t be undecrypted by anyone other than the intended receiver. If someone alters the encrypted data, the message becomes mixed up on decryption, and the recipient will know what happened.

Compliance. Nowadays, almost all the fields are limited by regulatory compliance meaning that they have to conform to a rule such as a specification, policy, standard or law so here is where end-to-end encryption comes into play. Thanks to the E2EE method, businesses everywhere can protect their data by making it impossible to read by an unauthorized individual.

Device protection is better than server protection. Unlike other encryption types that encrypt information on the server where cybercriminals or other outsiders can easily obtain access and decrypt it, with end-to-end decryption attackers have to hack the device to get the data. Most threat actors don’t carry out these types of attacks as they are difficult and take a lot of time.
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