Encryption is now critical everyday to our work, economic, social, family and private lives. Quite reasonably, communities and governments want to stop abhorrent criminals like terrorists and pedophiles using encryption to hide their crimes. Yet for most of us (including most politicians and public servants) encryption is a complete mystery and we have no idea if this can be done and if there might be unintended consequences.

Here’s a quick tour of some basic facts that may help you understand the significance of encryption and the policies that may change the way its used.