Technology in which a document is scanned, encrypted and sent over a telephone line. At the receiving end, the document is reproduced on paper based on the code. Also referred to as facsimile. To communicate via fax, both sender and receiver need a fax machine and a telephone line. Both parties also have a fax number (a telephone number specifically for fax traffic) for the fax connection. A fax machine can scan a document as well as print it on paper.