Public Key Encryption

• Public key encryption uses a pair of large numbers called keys.
  • The two keys, known as the private key and the public key, are generated in a single operation.
  • The private key is prviate and should be known only to its owner
    • It is often stored after being encrypted with a pass phrase.
  • The public key can be freely distributed to anyone with whom sensitive information will be exchanged.
  • A message that has been encrypted with either one of the keys can only be decrypted with the other key.

How do I use public key encryption?

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© 2006 John Michael Pierobon

Notes