Cryptography is the practice of secure communication techniques that ensure that only intended recipients can read and process the information. It is the study of how to transform information into an unreadable form, commonly known as ciphertext, so that only authorized parties can understand it. This process of transforming information is called encryption. The reverse process, which transforms ciphertext back into its original form, is called decryption. Cryptography is used to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access, modification, or disclosure. It is widely used in various applications, including:

1. Electronic Communication: Secure transmission of emails, chat messages, and other digital communications.

2. Financial Transactions: Protecting credit card information, bank transfers, and online payments.

3. Data Storage: Encrypting sensitive data stored on computers, mobile devices, and cloud storage.

4. Digital Signatures: Ensuring the authenticity and integrity of digital documents and messages.

5. Access Control: Limiting access to authorized users in systems, networks, and applications.

Cryptography plays a crucial role in today’s digital world, ensuring the privacy, security, and integrity of information in various communications and data storage environments.