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Table of contents
1.
Introduction
2.
What is a Private Key?
3.
What is a Public Key?
3.1.
Application of Public Key
4.
 
5.
Difference between Private and Public Key
6.
Frequently Asked Questions
6.1.
What is the difference between a secret key and a private key?
6.2.
What is the difference between public key and secret key API?
6.3.
What is the main difference between primary key and foreign key?
6.4.
Where is private key stored?
6.5.
Is private key same as password?
7.
Conclusion
Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024
Easy

Difference between Private Key and Public key

Author GAZAL ARORA
1 upvote

Introduction

Public Keys and private keys are used in encryption and Decryption. These keys are used to encrypt and decrypt sensitive data. It is important to know about both the keys and the differences between them.

Data protection is the process of keeping essential information from becoming corrupted, compromised, or lost. Encryption and Decryption are important security techniques that ensure communication is received and processed correctly. 

Difference between Public Key and Private Key

What is a Private Key?

In a private key, both sides, i.e., the sender and receiver, use the same key (or secret key) for Encryption/Decryption. It is also known as a symmetric encryption algorithm because it is common for both parties.

The sender encrypts using the secret key and encryption algorithm, while the recipient decodes using this same key and decryption algorithm. The algorithm used for encryption here is the inverse of the algorithm used for decryption. 

Also read, Blockchain.

What is a Public Key?

The Public key encryption technique is also known as asymmetric cryptography. This technique uses a pair of keys (private and public keys) to secure data communication. 

One of the keys is used for encryption, and the other is used for decryption. One key (public key) is used to encrypt plain text to convert it to ciphertext, and the receiver uses another key (private key) to decrypt the ciphertext to read the message.

Application of Public Key

Following are the applications of a public key:

  • Public key cryptography is widely used in secure communication systems, such as SSL/TLS for web traffic and SSH for secure remote access.
  • It is also used for digital signatures, which provide a way to verify the authenticity and integrity of data and prevent tampering or forgery.
  • Public key encryption can be used for the secure storage and transfer of sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal data.
  • Public key encryption can be used for secure email communication, where the public key of the recipient is used for encryption, and their private key is used for decryption.
  • Public key cryptography is used in virtual private networks (VPNs), which provide secure remote access to a private network over the internet.
  • It is also used in digital certificates, which are used to verify the identity of websites and software applications and ensure that they are not compromised or malicious.

 

Difference between Private and Public Key

Let's learn some of the important differences between Private Key and Public Key.

Sr. No

Based on

Private Key

Public Key

1

Definition It is defined as a technique that uses a single key (secret key) for Encryption and Decryption. It is an encryption technique that uses a pair of keys (private and public keys) for Encryption and Decryption.

2

Type It is a symmetric encryption algorithm because a single key is shared between two parties. This technique is asymmetric cryptography because different keys are used for different purposes.

3

Secret The private key is kept secret and is only known to the sender and receiver. The public key is free, but the private key is kept secret.

4

Performance The private key mechanism is faster. The public key mechanism is slower than the private key.

5

Efficiency It is effective because this method is suitable for large amounts of text. It is inefficient because this technique is only used for short messages.

6

Purpose The main function of the secret key algorithm is to transport bulk data. The main goal of the public key algorithm is to distribute keys safely.

7

Targets Load testing evaluates the system's sustainability. Performance testing checks the system's reliability, scalability, and speed.

Recommended Topic, loop and while loop

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a secret key and a private key?

A secret key is used in symmetric encryption, shared between parties, while a private key is unique to asymmetric encryption, used for decryption.

What is the difference between public key and secret key API?

Public key API uses asymmetric encryption for secure data exchange, while secret key API relies on symmetric encryption with a shared secret key.

What is the main difference between primary key and foreign key?

The basic difference between them is that the primary key identifies each entry in the table, whereas the foreign key connects two tables.

Where is private key stored?

The private key is typically stored in a secure and protected location on the device of the user or owner of the key. It is important to keep the private key confidential and secure to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.

Is private key same as password?

No, a private key is not the same as a password. A private key is a cryptographic key used in asymmetric encryption to sign and decrypt data, while a password is used for authentication and access control.

Conclusion

In this article, we learned about both the keys and the differences between them. Private keys and public keys are commonly used for encryption and decryption.

The Public key encryption technique is also known as asymmetric cryptography. It uses a pair of keys to secure data communication whereas, in a private key, both sides, i.e., the sender and receiver, use the same key (or secret key) for Encryption/Decryption. The private key mechanism is faster than the public key method.

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