Plaintext

In cryptography, plaintext is anything that can be read by and understood by humans. It’s the ordinary text that you read.

An easy example is this very definition. You can read just like any other readable text. But it’s not just limited to readable sentences.

Plaintext can also include data sent by network protocols during computer network communications, certain source code or programming scripts, or even Java code.

Most people are familiar with plaintext that they receive as text-based emails or documents created using a word processor like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

More specific to encryption, plaintext is inputted into an encryption algorithm, which then takes that plaintext message and produces a ciphertext. Using the process of decryption, ciphertext can be reversed to generate the original plaintext.

Plaintext passwords are common targets of cyber-attacks and hacks.

Plaintext example: HELLO

Ciphertext output example: XRTTV

Related Terms

Plaintext

Information that’s unencrypted, waiting to be sent or transmitted to another party. Plaintext is the input given to a cryptographic algorithm, such as an encryption algorithm, which then encodes data into ciphertext. The ciphertext is the message transmitted to the receiving party.

Encryption

Encryption is a security technique that takes data, like text, and scrambles it into a secret message so it can’t be read by another party. Decryption is what allows the recipient of the secret message to unscramble it back into a readable state. Encryption uses various algorithms or ciphers to do the scrambling.

Seed Phrase

A collection of random words generated during wallet creation that lets you get back into your crypto wallet if you lose access or delete it. Knowing your seed phrase ultimately gives you access to your private key, which verifies your ownership of your cryptocurrency. Anyone who knows your seed phrase can use it to make a copy of your wallet and add it to their own device. Once that happens, they can empty all of your funds from your wallet.

Algorithm

An Algorithm or algo is just a set of mathematical instructions or rules, programmed into computer software to produce some outcome or solve a specific problem or set of problems. In cryptography and data security, cryptographic algorithms have the job of turning readable data into a form of protected data – data that can’t be read easily by the human eye – and back to readable data.

51% Attack

Happens when the majority of the cryptocurrency network’s hash rate or validation authority is controlled by a single person or entity. Also known as a majority attack, malicious actors could use a 51% attack to cause disruption on the network, potentially overriding the consensus mechanism of the network.