private-key cryptography


private-key cryptography

(cryptography)As opposed to public-key cryptography, acryptographic method in which the same key is used to encryptand decrypt the message. Private-key algorithms include theobsolescent Data Encryption Standard (DES), triple-DES(3DES), the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), also knownas Rijndael, Blowfish, Twofish RC2, RC4, RC5 and RC6.

A problem with private-key cryptography is that the emitterand the recipient of the message must agree secretly on acommon key beforehands; but how can they do so?

Public-key cryptography gives an answer to this problem.

private-key cryptography

Typically refers to secret-key cryptography, which uses the same secret key. However, the use of the term "private" is confusing, because in public key cryptography (a different architecture), a "private key" is used. See cryptography.