Encryption Methods: A Dive into the Secure World
Encryption is a cornerstone of modern digital security. It prevents unauthorized access and ensures that sensitive data remains confidential. Here, we’ll explore some popular encryption methods used today.
Symmetric Encryption
Symmetric encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. Common algorithms include AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and DES (Data Encryption Standard).
Asymmetric Encryption
Asymmetric encryption utilizes a pair of keys — a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. The RSA algorithm and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) are widely used for secure communications.
Hash Functions
Hash functions like SHA-256 transform data into a fixed-size hash value, ensuring data integrity. Unlike encryption, hashing is a one-way function with no intention for reversible transformation.