Packet Encryption

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Joined
28 Nov 2005
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431
Location
Scotland
I am slightly confused...when encrypting a TCP or UDP packet, what actually gets encrypted, just the data or the data and header. It confuses me as if the whole packet gets encrypted including the destination IP and port numbe...how do systems, routers switches etc etc know where to route it?
 
Using something like HTTPS only the data is encrypted, things in the header are clearly seen.

If you are interested download a copy of wireshark and open a connection to an encrypted site like your bank or the OcUK checkout and have a look at the packets you capture.
 
Well unless you're tunneling traffic, the header *has* to be unencrypted as how else is the network going to know where to send it. It'd be the equivalent of writing a letter in code and then addressing the envelope in code too...

Obviously VPN (tunneled traffic) is different as all data is encrypted and sent to a designated which then deals with it as normal.
 
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