Public-Key Encryption

Term: Public-Key Encryption

Definition:
Public-Key Encryption is a scheme using an asymmetric algorithm to create a pair of keys for encryption: a public key encrypts data, and a corresponding private key decrypts it.

In some situations, such as digital signatures, the process is reversed: the sender uses a private key to create a unique number that can be read by anyone who has the corresponding public key. The agreement of the public and private keys verifies that the message is truly from the sender.

Related terms: public-key encryption, asymmetric algorithm, private key