Encryption

Types of Encryption

There are two main types of encryption. These two types are symmetric-key encryption and public-key encryption. Keep reading to find out the difference between them.

Symmetric-Key Encryption


In this type of encryption, each computer has a secret key that it uses to encrypt information before it is sent over a network to another computer. Symmetric-key encryption calls for the sender to know which computers will be receiving his encrypted information so that his key can be installed on them. The key is shared between the sender and the receiver. Each computer that receives the information must know the secret code in order to decode it. To any other person on a different computer who tries to read the message will only be able to see nonsense, because that computer does not have the secret key. Symmetric-key encryption was the only type of encryption used until 1976.

Public-Key Encryption


In public-key encryption, a mixture of both private and public key is used. This private key is unique to every computer: none are the same. The public key is given out by the sender�s computer to any other computer that it wants to communicate with. In order to decode a message that was encrypted through the use of public key, the receiving computer must use the public key (from the sender�s computer) and its own private key. The encryption key is freely distributed, but the decryption key remains private. Pretty Good Privacy is a common public-key encryption utility that allows you to encrypt almost anything.

Summary of the types of encryption
Types of Encryption
Symmetric-Key Public-Key
Other names Secret-key, private-key, one-key, single-key asymmetric-key
Number of Keys Actually Used 1 2
Are the keys shared? Yes. The key is shared between the senders and recipients. Yes and no. One key is shared while the other is kept private.
Other interesting facts Symmetric-key was the only type of encryption used until 1976. Public-key was proposed by Whitfield Diffie and Martin Hellman in 1976.

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This site was created by Laura Sale on April 6, 2006.
Last updated: April 12, 2006 10:10 PM
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