What is the difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption?

Symmetric encryption and asymmetric encryption are two different methods used in cryptography to secure data.

Symmetric encryption uses a single key for both the encryption and decryption processes. This means that the same key is used to both scramble and unscramble the data. The key needs to be kept secret and shared securely between the sender and the receiver. Examples of symmetric encryption algorithms include AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and DES (Data Encryption Standard).

On the other hand, asymmetric encryption, also known as public-key encryption, uses a pair of keys - a public key and a private key. The public key is used for encryption, while the private key is used for decryption. The public key can be freely shared with anyone, while the private key must be kept secret. This allows for secure communication between parties without the need to exchange a secret key. Examples of asymmetric encryption algorithms include RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography).

In summary, the main difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption lies in the number of keys used and their distribution. Symmetric encryption uses a single shared key, while asymmetric encryption uses a pair of keys - one public and one private.