What does ciphertext refer to?

Ciphertext refers to the result of the process of encryption, where plaintext, which is readable text, is transformed into a format that is not easily understood or readable by humans. This transformation is essential in confidentiality, as it ensures that the information remains secure and private, only accessible to those who possess the appropriate decryption key or method to revert it back to its original readable form.

The process of converting plaintext into ciphertext relies on various encryption algorithms and methodologies, creating a non-human-readable format that protects the data from unauthorized access. Thus, ciphertext is fundamentally characterized by its lack of readability by humans, and it serves as a crucial component in securing sensitive information during transmission or storage.