What does cipher text refer to?

Cipher text refers to the encrypted message that is produced by applying a cipher to the original plain text. When data is encrypted, it is transformed from a readable format into a scrambled version that appears as random characters or symbols. This transformation is done to secure the information, making it unreadable to anyone who does not have the appropriate key or means to decrypt it back into its original form, known as plain text. Understanding cipher text is essential in the context of cybersecurity, as it highlights the importance of encryption in protecting sensitive information during transmission or storage.