Ciphertext is unreadable, encrypted data that ciphers create for security during data transit. If someone tries to intercept or steal ciphertext, it’ll be useless without the cipher key to decryption. Decrypted, readable data is plaintext.
Ciphertext takes different forms depending on how the cipher encrypts data. Transposition ciphers take the existing data and switch the characters or integers around according to a secret pattern. Substitution ciphers replace the plaintext with different characters or integers based on an internal code. Either way, ciphertext keeps data secure until it's ready for decryption.
