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Encryption (Symmetric vs Asymmetric)

Encryption is the process of encoding information so that only authorized parties can access it. It is the backbone of internet privacy, securing everything from passwords to credit card numbers.

Crypto Lab

ALICE
DATA
Hello World
Shared Key
BOB
RECEIVED
Waiting...
Shared Key

How it works:

In Symmetric Encryption, Alice and Bob use the SAME key to lock and unlock the box. This is fast, but they must somehow safely share the key first.

Interactive: Switch between Symmetric and Asymmetric modes. Send a message to see how different keys are used to secure the data in transit.

Key Concepts

  • Symmetric (AES)Same Key for Lock & UnlockLike a house key. You give a copy to your friend. Fast and efficient, but risky—how do you get the key to them safely without a spy intercepting it?
  • Asymmetric (RSA/ECC)Public Key & Private KeyLike a mailbox. Anyone can drop a letter in (Public Key), but only the owner with the key can open it (Private Key). Solves the key sharing problem.

Real World Use (HTTPS)

When you visit a secure website (HTTPS), your browser actually uses BOTH methods!

  1. Browser uses Asymmetric Encryption to safely send a random "Session Key" to the server.
  2. Once both sides have this "Session Key", they switch to Symmetric Encryption (AES) because it's much faster for loading webpages.