What is End-to-End Encryption?

What is End-to-End Encryption?

In recent years, messaging applications that have become widely used have introduced a new concept in the field of technology: End-to-End Encryption. This encryption method is designed in a way that only the recipient system can decrypt the message sent by the device, and it ensures that third parties or applications cannot access the data. In short, it involves transmitting the data to the recipient in an encrypted form.

Email and all other messaging applications utilize end-to-end encryption. Although messages are transmitted encrypted, they are only encrypted during the journey and are visible in plain text when they reach the recipient’s device.

There are security procedures at the core of end-to-end encryption. It is implemented to ensure the data security of communities living under oppressive regimes. This way, issues such as information disclosure can be prevented. Since the message is encrypted exclusively for the recipient, no one else can decipher the encryption during transmission.

In end-to-end encryption, although the content of the messages cannot be deciphered, it leaves traces in the system that can be accessed by others. For example, it leaves traces of who the message was sent to, the date, and time, which can be accessed by everyone in the system. Many users consider this a disadvantage and prefer messaging applications that do not employ end-to-end encryption.

There is a common misconception that this encryption system provides 100% security, but that is incorrect. No end-to-end encryption system can provide complete security. If the recipient’s device is hacked, the contents of the messages can be accessed. The only assurance that end-to-end encryption provides in terms of security is that it prevents hacking during message transit.

So, what is the biggest disadvantage of end-to-end encryption? The answer to this question is simple. The content of the messages during transit can be accessed in the data repository of the application providing end-to-end encryption. In other words, this information can be seen in the data storage of the messaging program being used. In some cases, companies have been observed selling this data to third parties. For example, in 2013, it was revealed that the messaging program Skype leaked users’ messaging data to the NSA. Consequently, this situation has caused users to distance themselves from end-to-end encryption.

Nevertheless, in today’s digital world, end-to-end encryption is widely accepted as the most secure method of messaging. You can also read our article titled “Mail Security” that we wrote to address potential security issues and gain more information.