Encryption algorithms come in two basic flavors: symmetric and asymmetric.

I’ve already discussed symmetric encryption which is basically defined by the use of one and the same key for encryption and decryption. Such symmetric encryption algorithms include AES, DES and Triple-DES.

The basics of symmetric encryption go something like this: supply plaintext and an encryption key to an encryption method, let the encryption method process the two components of information together, receive the unreadable output and then extract the meaning from the unreadable output by using the same encryption key.

With asymmetric encryption the process involves not one but two keys: one key for encryption and a second key for decryption.

Continue reading What you need to know about Asymmetric Encryption