Understanding Base64 Encoding
Base64 is a group of binary-to-text encoding schemes that represent binary data in an ASCII string format. It is commonly used in web development.
Why use Base64?
- Data URIs: Embed small images or fonts directly into CSS or HTML files to reduce HTTP requests.
- Email Attachments: Ensure binary data (like images) travels safely through email servers designed for text.
- API Authentication: Basic Auth headers often require credentials to be Base64 encoded.
Is Base64 Encryption?
No. Base64 is an encoding scheme, not encryption. It does not secure your data. Anyone can decode a Base64 string back to its original format. It is designed for data transport, not security.