Which of the following is a common method of securing data during transmission?

Data encryption is a widely recognized and effective method of securing data during transmission. It involves the process of converting the original data, known as plaintext, into an encoded format called ciphertext. This transformation ensures that even if the data is intercepted during its transmission, it remains unreadable to unauthorized individuals. Only those with the correct decryption key can convert the ciphertext back to plaintext, thus preserving the confidentiality and integrity of the information.

In the context of securing data transmission, encryption ensures that sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and personal details, is safeguarded from eavesdroppers and potential attackers who might attempt to access the data while it is being transmitted over networks. This is particularly important for data traveling over the internet, where it can pass through multiple nodes and be susceptible to various forms of interception.

Other methods, while important for overall network security, do not specifically focus on securing data during its transmission. Techniques like firewall rules primarily regulate incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules, but they do not encrypt data itself. Network monitoring involves observing data flows and network behavior to detect anomalies, and antivirus software helps protect systems from malicious software but does not directly address the transmission of data. Therefore, data encryption stands out as the key technique