Authenticated Encryption
Authenticated Encryption (AE) is a cryptographic technique that simultaneously provides confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity for data. It combines encryption to protect data from unauthorized access with authentication to verify that the data has not been tampered with. This ensures that only authorized parties can read the data and detect any modifications during transmission or storage.
Developers should use Authenticated Encryption when handling sensitive data that requires both privacy and integrity, such as in secure communications (e.g., HTTPS, messaging apps), data storage (e.g., encrypted databases), and financial transactions. It prevents attacks like tampering and forgery by ensuring that encrypted data cannot be altered without detection, making it essential for modern security protocols.