Understanding Public and Private Key Cryptography 🔐 for Beginners

Private key encryption: This method uses a single secret key to both encrypt and decrypt data. Only the owner of the private key can decrypt the encrypted data.

Public key encryption: This method uses a pair of keys - a public key and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt data, and the private key is used to decrypt it. Anyone can use the public key to encrypt data, but only the owner of the private key can decrypt it.

In summary, private key encryption uses one secret key, while public key encryption uses a pair of keys - one for encryption (public key) and one for decryption (private key).

Limitations of private key encryption:

1. Key distribution challenges
2. Scalability issues
3. Lack of authentication
4. Complex key management
5. No forward secrecy
6. Revocation difficulties
7. Performance overhead
8. Vulnerability to replay attacks..

Public key encryption overcomes limitations of private key:

1. No key distribution challenges.
2. Scalable with unique key pairs for users.
3. Provides authentication with digital signatures.
4. Simplified key management with public keys.
5. Offers forward secrecy.
6. Allows easy key revocation.
7. Slower but used for key exchange.
8. Prevents replay attacks with digital signatures.