Encryption and hashing are both methods used to protect the security and privacy of data. The main difference between encryption and hashing is that encrypted data can be reversed back into its original form, while hashed data cannot.
Encryption is a two-way process, meaning the data can be encrypted and decrypted. It is used to secure data in transit and at rest. For example, a secure website will use encryption to protect credit card numbers and other sensitive information.
Hashing is a one-way process, meaning the data cannot be reversed back into its original form. It is used to verify the integrity of data. For example, a website may use a hash to compare a user’s password against a stored hash to verify that the password is correct.