Types of Encryption: Symmetric & Asymmetric

-

 

🔐 TYPES OF ENCRYPTION

Symmetric Encryption & Asymmetric Encryption

Encryption is the process of converting readable data (plaintext) into unreadable form (ciphertext) to protect it from unauthorized access.

There are two main types of encryption:

  1. Symmetric Encryption

  2. Asymmetric Encryption

1️⃣ SYMMETRIC ENCRYPTION

📘 Definition

Symmetric Encryption is a type of encryption where the same key is used for both encryption and decryption.

Sender and receiver must share the same secret key.

🔄 How It Works

  1. Sender encrypts data using a secret key.

  2. Ciphertext is sent to receiver.

  3. Receiver uses the same key to decrypt the data.

Plaintext → (Secret Key) → Ciphertext → (Same Key) → Plaintext

🔑 Key Characteristics

  • Uses one single key

  • Faster than asymmetric encryption

  • Suitable for large data encryption

  • Key must be kept secret

📌 Common Symmetric Algorithms

  • AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)

  • DES (Data Encryption Standard)

  • 3DES (Triple DES)

  • Blowfish

  • RC4

✅ Advantages

  • Very fast

  • Efficient for bulk data encryption

  • Less computational power required

❌ Disadvantages

  • Key distribution problem

  • If key is leaked, data is compromised

  • Not suitable for secure key exchange over internet

🌍 Real-Life Uses

  • Hard disk encryption

  • Database encryption

  • File encryption

  • VPN data encryption

2️⃣ ASYMMETRIC ENCRYPTION

📘 Definition

Asymmetric Encryption uses two different keys:

  • Public Key

  • Private Key

One key encrypts the data, and the other key decrypts it.

🔄 How It Works

  1. Receiver generates public and private keys.

  2. Public key is shared openly.

  3. Sender encrypts message using receiver's public key.

  4. Receiver decrypts message using private key.

Plaintext → (Public Key) → Ciphertext → (Private Key) → Plaintext

🔑 Key Characteristics

  • Uses two keys

  • More secure

  • Slower than symmetric encryption

  • Solves key distribution problem

📌 Common Asymmetric Algorithms

  • RSA

  • ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography)

  • Diffie-Hellman

  • DSA

✅ Advantages

  • Secure key exchange

  • Better authentication

  • Digital signature support

❌ Disadvantages

  • Slower than symmetric encryption

  • Requires more computational power

  • Complex implementation

🔥 Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption

FeatureSymmetric EncryptionAsymmetric Encryption
Number of KeysOneTwo
SpeedFastSlower
SecurityModerateHigh
Key SharingDifficultEasy
Used ForBulk data encryptionSecure communication & digital signatures

🎯 Practical Use Together (Hybrid Encryption)

In real-world systems like HTTPS:

  1. Asymmetric encryption is used to exchange the secret key.

  2. Symmetric encryption is used to encrypt the actual data.

This method combines:

  • Speed of symmetric

  • Security of asymmetric

🛡 Applications

  • Secure websites (HTTPS)

  • Online banking

  • Email encryption

  • Digital signatures

  • Blockchain technology

🎓 Exam Short Note

Symmetric encryption uses a single shared key for encryption and decryption and is faster, while asymmetric encryption uses a pair of public and private keys and provides better security for communication and authentication.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Introduction to Computer

-
Image
Computers are electronic devices that are designed to process, store, and retrieve data. They are used for a wide variety of purposes, from personal computing to complex scientific simulations and industrial automation. A computer consists of various hardware components, including a central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, input/output (I/O) devices such as keyboards, mice, and displays, and various other peripherals. Computers communicate with each other over networks, which are interconnected groups of computers that share resources and information. The internet is a global network that connects millions of computers around the world and enables communication and information sharing on an unprecedented scale. The field of computer science is concerned with the study of computers and computational systems, including their design, development, and application. It encompasses many subfields, including artificial intelligence, computer graphics, databases, programming lang...
Read more

History of Computer

-
Image
  History of Computer Topics  Definition of computer  Earliest computer  Computer History  Computer Generations Definition of Computer  Computer is a programmable machine.  Computer is a machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions.  Computer is any device which aids humans in performing various kinds of computations or calculations.  Definition of Computer Three principles characteristic of computer:  It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner.  It can execute a pre-recorded list of instructions.  It can quickly store and retrieve large amounts of data.  Earliest Computer  Originally calculations were computed by humans, whose job title was computers.  These human computers were typically engaged in the calculation of a mathematical expression.  The calculations of this period were specialized and expensive, requiring years of training in mathematics.  T...
Read more

Computer Generation

-
Image
 There are five generations of computer:  First generation– 1946 - 1958  Second generation– 1959 - 1964  Third generation– 1965 - 1970  Fourth generation– 1971 - today  Fifth generation– Today to future The First Generation   The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and magnetic drums for memory, and were often enormous, taking up entire rooms.  They were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was often the cause of malfunctions. The Second Generation   Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second generation of computers.  One transistor replaced the equivalent of 40 vacuum tubes.    Allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient and more reliable.  Still generated a great deal of heat that can damage the computer. The Third Generation  The development of the integrated circuit was ...
Read more