The process of converting the message from plaintext to ciphertext.

• A. Decryption
• B. Encryption
• C. Encoding
• D. Hashing

Answer: (B)

Converting plaintext into ciphertext is encryption. This process uses an algorithm and a key to transform readable data into an unreadable form, protecting confidentiality so that only someone with the correct key can restore the original message.

Decryption is the reverse operation, turning ciphertext back into plaintext. Encoding changes data into a different representation for transmission or compatibility purposes, not primarily to secure the content. Hashing produces a fixed-size digest that is not reversible and is used for integrity verification, not for concealing the original message.