Asymmetric cryptography, also known as public-key cryptography, is a process that encrypts and decrypts a message using a pair of related keys, one public key, and one private key, to prevent unauthorized access or use.
Asymmetric Key Encryption is a technique that uses both public and private keys to encrypt data. It encrypts and decrypts the message using two different keys. It is more secure than symmetric key encryption but much slower.
A public key is a cryptographic key that can be used by any person to encrypt a message so that it can only be decrypted by the intended recipient with their private key. A private key also known as a secret key is shared only with the key's initiator.
When someone wants to send an encrypted message, they can pull the intended recipient's public key from a public directory and use it to encrypt the message before sending it. The recipient of the message can then decrypt the message using their related private key.
If the sender encrypts the message with their private key, it can only be decrypted with the sender's public key, thereby authenticating the sender. These encryption and decryption processes are automatic; users are not required to physically lock and unlock the message.
Many protocols, including transport layer security (TLS) and secure sockets layer (SSL) protocols that enable HTTPS, rely on asymmetric cryptography. The encryption process is also used in software programs that must establish a secure connection over an insecure network, such as internet browsers, or that must validate a digital signature.
The primary advantage of asymmetric cryptography is increased data security. Because users are never required to reveal or share their private keys, the chances of a cybercriminal discovering a user's private key during transmission are reduced.