# Encryption## Contents-[The Basics](#the-basics)-[Encrypting A String](#encrypt)-[Decrypting A String](#decrypt)<aname="the-basics"></a>## The BasicsLaravel's **Crypter** class provides a simple interface for handling secure, two-way encryption. By default, the Crypter class provides strong AES-256 encryption and decryption out of the box via the Mcrypt PHP extension.> **Note:** Don't forget to install the Mcrypt PHP extension on your server.<aname="encrypt"></a>## Encrypting A String#### Encrypting a given string: $encrypted = Crypter::encrypt($value);<aname="decrypt"></a>## Decrypting A String#### Decrypting a string: $decrypted = Crypter::decrypt($encrypted);> **Note:** It's incredibly important to point out that the decrypt method will only decrypt strings that were encrypted using **your** application key.