An encryption method for transmitting data that uses key pairs, comprising one private and one public key. Public key cryptography is called "asymmetric encryption" because both keys are not equal. A ...

What are cryptographic keys, and why should they be kept safe? A cryptographic key is a string of data that is used to encrypt data (to the data secret), decrypt data (to perform the reverse operation ...

Public-key encryption, as noted in the profile of cryptographer Bruce Schneier, is complicated in detail but simple in outline. The article below is an outline of the principles of the most common ...