Timeline for How to create and send a symmetric key using GPG
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
5 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Mar 27, 2023 at 9:16 | comment | added | Bachsau | @JohnSlotsky Symmetric encryption is fast, simple and secure. The message is scrambled with the key, and if you don't have it, you can't reverse the encryption. With asymmetric cryptography, all the information is there, even in the public key. The difference lies in the amount of work you have to do. Think of it like a maze, where the private key is a map. You always have to walk through the whole thing, but with the map it is relatively easy because you know the right path. Without the map, you can still get through, but it will take forever and you probably won’t make it in your lifetime. | |
| Apr 12, 2017 at 16:49 | comment | added | Elias | Usually public key crypto is used to set up a symmetric key and then symmetric crypto is used for the increased speed. Take a look at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_cryptosystem | |
| Apr 12, 2017 at 16:42 | comment | added | John Slotsky | From what I read, the same key is used to encrypt and decrypt the traffic with symmetric encryption. In the case of a website, does the web browser receive an unsigned copy of the key which is can use to decrypt the data? What are some major examples are where symmetric key cryptography is a better option to public key encryption? | |
| Apr 12, 2017 at 16:39 | comment | added | John Slotsky | What then is the purpose of symmetric encryption, what advantages does it give over public key encryption. I know that websites use it to encrypt HTTP and HTTPS protocol over SSL and this system uses symmetric encryption in which the website owner or organisation, if their identity is confirmed, is issued a certificate which they use to sign their key. Then all browsers know that the certificate used to decrypt and decrypt the traffic does indeed belong to the website/organisation. The part I don't understand is how the 2-way encryption/decryption occurs. What key does the end use use? | |
| Apr 12, 2017 at 10:32 | history | answered | Elias | CC BY-SA 3.0 |