Asymmetric Encryption

A cryptographic method that uses a pair of keys (public and private) for secure communication.

Understanding Asymmetric Encryption

Unlike symmetric encryption, which uses a single key for encryption and decryption, asymmetric encryption employs a key pair. The public key encrypts the data, while the private key is used to decrypt it. This eliminates the need for secure key exchange and enhances security.

Common Asymmetric Algorithms

RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman)

Uses the difficulty of factoring large numbers for security.
Widely implemented in HTTPS, VPNs, and digital signatures.

Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)

Uses elliptic curves to achieve encryption with shorter key lengths.
Efficient for mobile and IoT devices.

Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange

Securely establishes a shared secret key between two parties.
Common in VPN protocols and encrypted messaging.

Common Applications

SSL/TLS protocols: Encrypts web communications.
Email encryption (PGP, S/MIME): Secures email content from unauthorized access.

Cryptographic authentication: Ensures secure logins and digital identity verification.