hardcoded-keyencryption
nounUK /ˌhɑːdˈkəʊdɪd ˈkiː ɪnˈkrɪpʃən/
US /ˌhɑːrdˈkoʊdɪd ˈkiː ɪnˈkrɪpʃən/
A way to lock secret messages where the key is written right into the program instead of being kept safe somewhere else.
The app was easy to break because it used hardcoded-key encryption with the password written in the code.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A beginner mistake in programming where a secret key is typed directly into the code.
The teacher warned us that hardcoded-key encryption is a bad habit.
3. A weak security setup where changing the key means rewriting the whole program.
Because of hardcoded-key encryption, updating the password took a full software release.
4. A method that hides data but leaves the unlocking key visible to anyone who reads the code.
Hackers found the key quickly since hardcoded-key encryption left it in plain sight.