unencrypted

USAGE SUMMARY

'unencrypted' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe something that is not encrypted, or not converted into a code for security or privacy reasons. Example: The company's sensitive data was left unencrypted, leaving it vulnerable to hackers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The general tenor of this tech critique goes something like this: the poor schmucks don't know the first thing about this stuff; otherwise they wouldn't be signing up for "free" services that read their email and exploit their personal data; nor would they be storing their files – unencrypted – in the cloud, or enabling location services on their smartphones.

The Guardian - Tech

In its defence, Google claimed it was perfectly legal to intercept data transmitted over unencrypted Wi-Fi networks—just as it is lawful to intercept "electronic communications [that are] readily accessible to the general public".

The Economist

Data transmitted over an unencrypted Wi-Fi link, it concluded, is not "readily accessible to the general public", as the terminology is ordinarily understood.

The Economist

Yet the firm, which did not respond to repeated requests for comment, seems to have made some elementary errors, including leaving social-security numbers and salary data unencrypted, and storing passwords in a file conveniently entitled "Password".More digital damage may yet emerge.

The Economist

By exploiting this flaw, a malicious hacker could see such information as unencrypted text and thus insert data of his own, such as password-stealing code, while making it seem to come from a trusted source.In this section A Faustian bargain The law and unintended consequences Entering the jet age ReprintsDiscovering such bugs in the mess of code that underpins the internet is not unusual.

The Economist

In November 2007, for example, the British government managed to lose two discs of data containing the (unencrypted) personal and financial details of 25m households.

The Economist

But Mr Ulbricht's arrest warrant alleges that he ignored his own advice: that he administered Silk Road through unencrypted connections, used his own name on technical-support forums and arranged deals personally.

The Economist

"Spoofing", as this is called, is possible because GPS signals are typically unencrypted, adds Mr Dillingham, now head of aviation for the Government Accountability Office, a watchdog agency of America's Congress.Drones also give paparazzi and activists new scope.

The Economist

Earlier this month Citigroup, the world's biggest financial firm, had to admit that it had lost information on 3.9m current and former customers when some unencrypted computer tapes went astray while being handled by United Parcel Service, the firm that was shipping the data.

The Economist

Mr Ulbricht's computer, which was seized in an unencrypted state when he was arrested, turned out to contain not only Mr Ulbricht's sizeable stash of Bitcoin, but also a journal and chat logs about how the site was run.

The Economist

It was asked to supply anonymised data to the National Audit Office, but provided reams of unencrypted personal information instead (see article).Regulation has a role to play, too.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive information, always specify whether the data is "unencrypted" to clearly communicate potential security risks. For instance, "Storing social security numbers unencrypted is a major security flaw."

Common error

Don't assume your audience understands the implications of data being "unencrypted". Always explain the risks associated with "unencrypted" data, such as vulnerability to interception or theft. For example, instead of just saying "the data was unencrypted", clarify with "the data was unencrypted, making it easily accessible to hackers".

Linguistic Context

The term "unencrypted" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something lacks encryption, meaning it's not converted into a secure code. As Ludwig AI shows, it's frequently used to describe data, connections, or communications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unencrypted" functions as an adjective denoting the absence of encryption, making data vulnerable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and widely used. It's most frequently encountered in news reports, technical documentation, and business communications. To ensure clarity, avoid assuming your audience understands the implications of "unencrypted" data. Always provide context and clearly communicate potential risks when discussing this topic. Consider using alternatives such as "not encrypted" or "in plaintext" to enhance understanding. Remember that using "unencrypted" highlights a lack of security and potential privacy risks, urging caution and consideration of encryption methods.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not encrypted

A more direct way of expressing the same lack of encryption, maintaining clarity.

without encryption

Emphasizes the absence of encryption as a protective measure.

cleartext data

Specifies that the data is in a human-readable format, implying a lack of security.

in plaintext

Refers to data that is readable and not encoded, emphasizing its lack of security.

unprotected data

Indicates data that lacks any form of protection, including encryption.

non-ciphered data

A more technical term meaning not converted into a secret code.

vulnerable data

Highlights the risk associated with data that is not protected by encryption.

exposed data

Highlights the vulnerability of the data, indicating it is at risk of being accessed by unauthorized parties.

open data

Emphasizes the accessibility of the data, implying it's not secured.

data at risk

Shifts the focus to the potential consequences of the data not being encrypted.

FAQs

How can I use "unencrypted" in a sentence?

You can use "unencrypted" to describe data or communications that are not protected by encryption. For example, "The company's database stored customer passwords "in plaintext"," or "The email was sent over an "unprotected connection".".

What is the difference between "unencrypted" and "encrypted"?

"Unencrypted" means that data is in its original, readable form and not protected by any encoding. "Encrypted" means that the data has been transformed into a coded format to protect its confidentiality and integrity.

What are the risks of sending "unencrypted" data?

Sending "unencrypted" data exposes it to potential interception and unauthorized access. Hackers or malicious actors can easily read and steal "exposed data", leading to identity theft, financial loss, or other security breaches.

What can I say instead of "unencrypted" when describing data security?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "not encrypted", "in plaintext", "without encryption", or "vulnerable data".