What is the Difference Between Public Key and Private Key?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between a public key and a private key lies in their roles in encryption and decryption, as well as their accessibility. Here are the key differences between the two:
- Accessibility: Public keys are meant to be shared widely and can be used by anyone in the system for encryption purposes. On the other hand, private keys are known only to their respective owners and should be kept secret to ensure security.
- Encryption and Decryption: Public keys are used for encryption, while private keys are used for decryption. In asymmetric encryption, a message encrypted with a public key can only be decrypted using the corresponding private key.
- Algorithm: In private key cryptography (symmetric encryption), the same key and algorithm are used for both encryption and decryption. In public key cryptography (asymmetric encryption), two different keys and algorithms are used for encryption and decryption.
- Performance: Private key cryptography is generally faster than public key cryptography. This is because asymmetric encryption requires more computational power than symmetric encryption.
- Security: Private keys are more sensitive than public keys, as exposing a private key can lead to unauthorized access to encrypted data. Public keys, on the other hand, can be shared without compromising security.
In summary, public keys are used for encryption and can be shared openly, while private keys are used for decryption and should be kept secret. Both keys work together in public key cryptography to ensure secure communication and data protection.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Public Key and Private Key? Comparative Table: Public Key vs Private Key
Comparative Table: Public Key vs Private Key
Here is a table highlighting the differences between public keys and private keys:
| Feature | Public Key | Private Key |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Public keys are used for encrypting data. They are public and can be shared with anyone. | Private keys are used for both encrypting and decrypting data. They are kept secret and shared only between the sender and receiver of the encrypted data. |
| Performance | Public key cryptography is slower than private key cryptography. | Private key cryptography is faster than public key cryptography. |
| Algorithm | Public keys are used in asymmetric cryptography, where two keys (public and private) are used for encryption and decryption. | Private keys are used in symmetric cryptography, where the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. |
| Accessibility | Public keys can be shared without compromising the security of the private key. | Private keys must be kept secret, as they are used for both encryption and decryption. |
| Key Type | Asymmetric, as there are two types of keys: public and private. | Symmetric, as there is only one key that is shared by both parties. |
Read more:
- Symmetric Key Encryption vs Public Key Encryption
- Public IP vs Private IP
- Private Cloud vs Public Cloud
- Public vs Private sector
- Digital Signature vs Digital Certificate
- Confidentiality vs Privacy
- Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption
- Private vs Public Companies
- Primary key vs Unique key
- Digital Signature vs Electronic Signature
- Privacy vs Security
- Foreign key vs Primary key
- Public vs Private Administration
- Encoding vs Encryption
- Blockchain vs Cryptocurrency
- Public vs Private Procurement
- Government vs Private School
- Private Hospitals vs Public Hospitals
- Keyboard vs Piano