Encryption

An excellent explanation of encryption and how it relates to cybercrime is located here.

 

Encryption can be used as a measure of preventing cybercrimes, including planned security breaches, but also as a means of protecting intellectual property crimes and other crimes involving cyberstalking, harassment, and software theft. However, constitutional concerns must be balanced with the use of encryption.

 

Encryption is the transformation of data into a form that is close to impossible to read without the appropriate knowledge. The purpose of encryption is to ensure privacy by keeping information hidden from any unintended person including even individuals that have access to this encrypted data.

 

This is a pretty relevant summary.  Check it out if you're so inclined.