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I hear lot about this. Can anyone let me learn what is "Symmetric" and "Asymmetric" (or Public Key) encryption?

Any links also appreciated.

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I hear lot about this. Can anyone let me learn what is "Symmetric" and "Asymmetric" (or Public Key) encryption?

Any links also appreciated.

Symmetric encryption is where the key used to encrypt AND decrypt are the same key. Asymmetric is when a key pair is used; the pair consists of a "Private key" which only you should have and a "Public key" which can be given out.

If something is encrypted with the public key you need the private key to decrypt it and if it is encrypted with the private key then only the public key can decrypt it.

Symmetric keys are usually used to encrypt data as it is faster. While a key pair is used mostly for authentication. The usual method in secure programming is using a combination of the two.

commented: Thanks for the wikipedia quote, 4 years too late -6
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