Exploring the World of Encryption
What is public key encryption and why is it considered secure?
Public key encryption is a method for transmitting sensitive data over insecure channels. It is based on a pair of mathematically linked keys: one public key and one private key. The public key can be openly distributed, while the private key must remain secret. Why is this type of encryption secure?
Answer:
Public key encryption is considered secure due to its utilization of complex algorithms that make it extremely difficult for hackers to decrypt the message without knowing the private key. The security is based on the challenge of factoring large numbers into their prime factors.
In public key encryption, the public key is derived from the product of two large prime numbers, making it easy to obtain. However, factoring this product back into its component primes is computationally infeasible, which means it is nearly impossible to calculate the private key from the public key alone.
The security of public key encryption also stems from the use of separate keys for encryption and decryption. The public key encrypts the message, while the private key decrypts it, adding an extra layer of security against unauthorized access.