Base64 encoding uses 64 characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9, +, /) to represent binary data.
Why it's needed
- Email systems and HTTP headers expect text, not raw binary.
- Prevents data corruption when binary is sent through text channels.
- Enables embedding images in HTML/CSS (data URIs).
Common uses
- Encoding credentials in HTTP Basic Authentication.
- Embedding images in emails or JSON.
- Encoding JWT tokens for API authentication.
- Storing binary data in JSON or XML.
Related Articles
View all articlesPEM vs PFX: Certificate Format Differences Explained
Learn the crucial differences between PEM and PFX certificate formats, when to use each, and how to convert between them for different server environments and platforms.
Read article →SOC Alert Triage & Investigation Workflow | Complete Guide
Master the complete SOC alert triage lifecycle with this practical guide covering SIEM alert handling, context enrichment, threat intelligence correlation, MITRE ATT&CK mapping, and incident escalation. Learn industry frameworks from NIST, SANS, and real-world best practices to reduce MTTC by 90% and eliminate alert fatigue.
Read article →Webhook Security Implementation Workflow
Master the complete webhook security implementation workflow used by backend engineers and API developers. This comprehensive guide covers HMAC signature validation, replay attack prevention, IP allowlisting, payload sanitization, and error handling aligned to OWASP API Security Top 10 2023.
Read article →When Should I Use Base64 Encoding? Practical Use Cases and Applications
Discover the practical applications of Base64 encoding, from email attachments to data URLs, and learn when to use this encoding scheme effectively in your projects.
Read article →