Mastering Active Directory

Symmetric keys versus asymmetric keys

There are two types of cryptographic methods used to encrypt the data in computer world. Let's now look at them:

• Symmetric keys: Symmetric methods work exactly the same way your door lock works. You have one key to lock or open the door. This is also called shared secret and private key. VPN connections and backup software are some of the examples, which still use symmetric key to encrypt data.
• Asymmetric keys: This method, on the other hand, uses key pair to do the encryption and decryption. It includes two keys: one is a public key and the other one is a private key. Public keys are always distributed to public and anyone can have them. Private keys are unique for the object and will not be distributed ...