What is the process of encoding data before transmission to protect it from unauthorized access?

The process of encoding data before transmission to protect it from unauthorized access is known as encryption. Encryption transforms readable data into an unreadable format using algorithms and keys, ensuring that only authorized parties with the appropriate keys can revert the data to its original, accessible form. This is crucial for maintaining confidentiality and securing sensitive information in transit over networks, such as the internet.

In contrast, decryption is the reverse process of encryption, where the encoded data is converted back into its original form. Compression reduces the size of data to optimize storage or transmission speed but does not provide security against unauthorized access. Encoding is a general term that refers to converting data into a specific format, which may or may not involve security measures. Encryption specifically adds a layer of security that protects the data from being understood by anyone who intercepts it without the correct decryption key.