What type of encryption scrambles packets so that intercepted data is unreadable?

Symmetric encryption is the correct choice because it utilizes the same key for both encryption and decryption processes. When data packets are transmitted over a network, symmetric encryption algorithms scramble the packet contents using a secret key, rendering the data unreadable to anyone who might intercept it. Only the parties that possess the shared secret key can decrypt and access the original data, ensuring confidentiality.

In symmetric encryption, the speed and efficiency of the process make it well-suited for encrypting large volumes of data quickly, which is critical for maintaining performance in network communications. This type of encryption is commonly used in various protocols to secure data in transit.

Other types of encryption, such as asymmetric encryption, involve a pair of keys (a public and a private key) and serve different functions primarily around secure key exchange and digital signatures rather than bulk encryption of data packets. Hash encryption, on the other hand, is used for ensuring data integrity and authenticity, not confidentiality, as it produces a fixed-size hash value rather than encrypting data in a reversible manner. Static encryption is not a standard term in the field of encryption.