Encryption vs Encoding vs Hashing - GeeksforGeeks (2024)

Last Updated : 27 Jun, 2023

Summarize

Comments

Improve

Pre-Requisite: Encryption, Encoding, Hashing.

Encryption, Encoding, and Hahsing are similar kinds of things and have little difference between them. They all are used to change the format of the data or data transformation for different purposes. We will discuss them separately. Let us first discuss the definition of all these three processes and then we will move to see how they differ.

Encryption

Encryption is an encoding technique in which a message is encoded by using an encryption algorithm in such a way that only authorized personnel can access the message or information. It is a special type of encoding that is used for transferring private data, for example sending a combination of username and password over the internet for email login. In encryption, data to be encrypted(called plain text) is transformed using an encryption algorithm like AES or RSA Encryption Algorithm using a secret key called a cipher. The encrypted data is called ciphertext, and finally, the secret key can be used by the intended recipient to convert it back to plain text.

There are two types of encryption algorithms – symmetric and asymmetric encryption. In the case of symmetric encryption, data is encoded and decoded with the help of the same key whereas in the case of Asymmetric encryption, data is encoded and decoded with the help of different keys, that is public key and private key.

Example: AES Encryption Algorithm but in the case of the asymmetric encryption algorithm, data is encrypted with the help of two keys, namely the public and private keys, like the RSA algorithm.

Encryption vs Encoding vs Hashing - GeeksforGeeks (1)

Encryption and Decryption

Encoding

In the Encoding method, data is transformed from one form to another. The main aim of encoding is to transform data into a form that is readable by most of the systems or that can be used by any external process. It can’t be used for securing data, various publicly available algorithms are used for encoding. Encoding can be used for reducing the size of audio and video files. Each audio and video file format has a corresponding coder-decoder (codec) program that is used to code it into the appropriate format and then decodes it for playback.

Example: ASCII, BASE64, UNICODE

Encryption vs Encoding vs Hashing - GeeksforGeeks (2)

Encoding

Hashing

In Hashing, data is converted to the hash using some hashing function, which can be any number generated from a string or text. Various hashing algorithms are MD5 and SHA256. Data once hashed is non-reversible. The hash function can be any function that is used to map data of arbitrary size to data of fixed size. The data structure hash table is used for storing data.

Example: When you send pictures and text messages over WhatsApp over StackOverflow (posting in questions), images are sent to different servers, and text is sent to a different server for efficiency purposes. So for verifying images that the images are not tampered with between data transfers over the internet, a hashing algorithm like MD5 can be used. MD5 generates a message digest of 128 bits, while SHA1 generates a message digest of the 160-bit hash value. Hence, SHA1 is a relatively complex algorithm with better security than MD5. Another purpose for hashing is for verifying passwords for login on various websites, as shown in the image.

Difference Between Encryption, Encoding, and Hashing

EncryptionEncodingHashing
Encryption is a type of encoding technique where the message is encoded using an encryption algorithm so that only authorized persons can access that information.Encoding is a technique where the data is transformed from one form to another.Hashing is a technique where the data is converted to hash using different algorithms present there.
Encryption is a technique used for protecting the confidentiality of the data.Encryption is used for preserving the usability of the data.Hashing is simply used for checking the integrity of the data.
Appropriate Keys are used in the Encryption.No Keys are used in Encoding.No Keys are used in Hashing.
Encryption can be reversed back to its original form by using appropriate keys.Encoding can be reversed back to its original form.The hashed one cannot be reversed back to its original form.
Example: AES Algorithm, RSA Algorithm, Diffie HellmanExample: BASE64, UNICODE, ASCII, URL Encoding.Example: MD5, SHA256, SHA – 3.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Base64 used for Encoding or Encryption?

Answer:

Base64 is basically used for encoding binary data as printable text.

2. What is the difference between Encoding and Encryption?

Answer:

Encoding simply aims to make the data presentable to the user whereas Encryption works by changing the data to a cipher text so that it can be understood by authorized persons only.

3. What is the difference between Encryption and Hashing?

Answer:

Encryption is simply changing plain text to cipher text (unreadable text), but hashing is simply the conversion of plain text to keys using the hash functions.



M

msdeep14

Encryption vs Encoding vs Hashing - GeeksforGeeks (4)

Improve

Next Article

XOR Encryption by Shifting Plaintext

Please Login to comment...

Encryption vs Encoding vs Hashing - GeeksforGeeks (2024)

FAQs

Encryption vs Encoding vs Hashing - GeeksforGeeks? ›

Difference Between Encryption, Encoding, and Hashing

Is encoding the same as encrypting? ›

The encryption technique aims at making data unreadable and hard to decode. If you think about it for a moment, it is the opposite reason of pure encoding: encoding aims at making data as much understandable as possible across systems while encryption tries to make it undecipherable, unless you are authorized.

What is hashing vs encryption vs salting? ›

Encryption is about encoding data accessible with a key; hashing is about irreversible calculations. In salting, we add random data to the main information and make it more secure for storage.

What is a real life example of hashing? ›

There are many practical examples of hash tables used in every-day life. A popular example is in username-password databases. Every time someone signs up on a website using a username and password, that information must be stored somewhere for later retrieval.

Is encoding faster than encryption? ›

Encoding is faster than encryption. Encryption is slower than encoding. To decode the encoded data, no key is required. To decrypt the encrypted data, a secret key is required.

Is sha256 encryption or encoding? ›

SHA-256 is a patented cryptographic hash function that outputs a value that is 256 bits long. What is hashing? In encryption, data is transformed into a secure format that is unreadable unless the recipient has a key. In its encrypted form, the data may be of unlimited size, often just as long as when unencrypted.

What is the difference between encoding and encryption and hashing? ›

Encoding: Reversible transformation of data format, used to preserve the usability of data. Hashing: A one-way summary of data that cannot be reversed and is used to validate the integrity of data. Encryption: Secure encoding of data used to protect the confidentiality of data.

Why use hashing instead of encryption? ›

Since encryption is two-way, the data can be decrypted so it is readable again. Hashing, on the other hand, is one-way, meaning the plaintext is scrambled into a unique digest, through the use of a salt, that cannot be decrypted.

Should passwords be hashed or encrypted? ›

Hashing and encryption can keep sensitive data safe, but in almost all circ*mstances, passwords should be hashed, NOT encrypted. Because hashing is a one-way function (i.e., it is impossible to "decrypt" a hash and obtain the original plaintext value), it is the most appropriate approach for password validation.

Can hashed data be decrypted? ›

No, hashed data cannot be decrypted. Hashing is a one-way process, which means that the original data cannot be obtained from the hash value. It is designed to be irreversible, making it suitable for storing passwords and verifying data integrity.

What is hashing in simple words? ›

Hashing is the practice of transforming a given key or string of characters into another value for the purpose of security. Unlike standard encryption, hashing is always used for one-way encryption, and hashed values are very difficult to decode.

What are the three most common applications for hashing? ›

Applications of Hashing Algorithms
  • Verifying the integrity of messages and files. An important application of secure hashes is the verification of message integrity. ...
  • Signature generation and verification. ...
  • Password verification. ...
  • Proof-of-work. ...
  • File or data identifier.

Is hashing still used? ›

Hashing is widely used for secure password storage.

Do you encrypt or encode first? ›

The correct order is compression, encryption and then encoding. Encoding is usually needed for transporting/storing the data and therefore has to come last. Compression is way more effective on the plaintext data than on the encrypted data.

Why do people confuse encryption with encoding? ›

For example, data can be encoded before being encrypted, which can make it more difficult for an attacker to decrypt the data if they are able to gain access to it. Due to this reason, encryption Vs. encoding is often talked about in cybersecurity, and often both terms are often used interchangeably.

What is the strongest encryption algorithm in the world? ›

AES 256-bit encryption is the strongest and most robust encryption standard that is commercially available today. While it is theoretically true that AES 256-bit encryption is harder to crack than AES 128-bit encryption, AES 128-bit encryption has never been cracked.

Is Base64 encoding the same as encryption? ›

Base64 is such an encoding algorithm. It merely encodes arbitrary data using only ASCII characters, which is useful in many situations in which non-ASCII characters may not be handled correctly. You can encode and decode Base64 back and forth all day long; there's no secret, no protection, no encryption.

What is the difference between encoding and encoding? ›

Encoding aims to transform data into a specific format for efficient transmission or storage. Whereas decoding is about converting encoded data back to its original format.

What is considered encoding? ›

What Does Encoding Mean? Encoding is the process of converting data into a format required for a number of information processing needs, including: Program compiling and execution. Data transmission, storage and compression/decompression. Application data processing, such as file conversion.

What is the difference between decrypted and encrypted? ›

Encryption is the process by which a readable message is converted to an unreadable form to prevent unauthorized parties from reading it. Decryption is the process of converting an encrypted message back to its original (readable) format. The original message is called the plaintext message.

Top Articles
7 Steps to Take After You Make a Mistake at Work
To save more money, avoid these 5 common financial mistakes
Windcrest Little League Baseball
Nehemiah 4:1–23
What's Wrong with the Chevrolet Tahoe?
fltimes.com | Finger Lakes Times
Little Rock Arkansas Craigslist
Goldsboro Daily News Obituaries
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Entries
454 Cu In Liters
How Many Cc's Is A 96 Cubic Inch Engine
Walthampatch
Summer Rae Boyfriend Love Island – Just Speak News
Bowlero (BOWL) Earnings Date and Reports 2024
Dr Adj Redist Cadv Prin Amex Charge
Craigslist Toy Hauler For Sale By Owner
Mission Impossible 7 Showtimes Near Marcus Parkwood Cinema
Lehmann's Power Equipment
Band Of Loyalty 5E
Healthier Homes | Coronavirus Protocol | Stanley Steemer - Stanley Steemer | The Steem Team
Ge-Tracker Bond
Amazing deals for Abercrombie & Fitch Co. on Goodshop!
eHerkenning (eID) | KPN Zakelijk
Babbychula
2013 Ford Fusion Serpentine Belt Diagram
Red8 Data Entry Job
Sandals Travel Agent Login
Celina Powell Lil Meech Video: A Controversial Encounter Shakes Social Media - Video Reddit Trend
15 Primewire Alternatives for Viewing Free Streams (2024)
Sofia the baddie dog
Snohomish Hairmasters
Yale College Confidential 2027
Leben in Japan – das muss man wissen - Lernen Sie Sprachen online bei italki
Jackass Golf Cart Gif
Restored Republic
Calvin Coolidge: Life in Brief | Miller Center
Craigslist Sf Garage Sales
United E Gift Card
Aladtec Login Denver Health
Truis Bank Near Me
8 Ball Pool Unblocked Cool Math Games
Jack In The Box Menu 2022
Traumasoft Butler
If You're Getting Your Nails Done, You Absolutely Need to Tip—Here's How Much
Tricia Vacanti Obituary
Rage Of Harrogath Bugged
Valls family wants to build a hotel near Versailles Restaurant
Borat: An Iconic Character Who Became More than Just a Film
Caphras Calculator
Underground Weather Tropical
What Does the Death Card Mean in Tarot?
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jerrold Considine

Last Updated:

Views: 5575

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jerrold Considine

Birthday: 1993-11-03

Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

Phone: +5816749283868

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.