Symmetric key cryptography



   Symmetric-key cryptography is an encryption system in which the sender and receiver of a message share a single, common key that is used to encrypt and decrypt the message. Contrast this with public-key cryptology, which utilizes two keys - a public key to encrypt messages and a private key to decrypt them.
   Symmetric-key systems are simpler and faster, but their main drawback is that the two parties must somehow exchange the key in a secure way. Public-key encryption avoids this problem because the public key can be distributed in a non-secure way, and the private key is never transmitted.
   Symmetric-key cryptography is sometimes called secret-key cryptography. The most popular symmetric-key system is the Data Encryption Standard (DES).


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The current glossary explains various terms that you may come across while working with Handy Backup or other backup software. Handy Backup is a popular utility for Windows that is famous for its flexibility and ease of use.


Other terms from Encryption

3DES

3DES, also referred to as Triple DES, a mode of the DES encryption algorithm that encrypts data three times. Nowadays... (more about 3DES...)


Blowfish Encryption Algorithm

The blowfish encryption algorithm is a symmetric encryption algorithm designed by Bruce Schneier in 1993 as an alternative to existing... (more about Blowfish Encryption Algorithm...)


Cipher

Cipher is the generic term used to describe a means of encrypting data. In addition, the term cipher can refer... (more about Cipher...)


DES

DES, Short for Data Encryption Standard, a popular symmetric-key encryption method developed in 1975 and standardized by ANSI in 1981... (more about DES...)


RC4

RC4 is a variable key-size stream cipher with byte-oriented operations. The algorithm is based on the use of a random... (more about RC4...)


Symmetric key cryptography

   Symmetric-key cryptography is an encryption system in which the sender and receiver of a message share a single, common key... (more about Symmetric key cryptography...)


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