What is Public Key Cryptography?
Public Key Cryptography, also known as asymmetric cryptography, is a cryptographic system that uses a pair of keys to encrypt and decrypt data. These keys are mathematically linked: one is the public key, which is shared openly, and the other is the private key, which is kept secret.
In this system, the public key is used to encrypt data, making it accessible only to the holder of the corresponding private key. Conversely, the private key can be used to create digital signatures that verify authenticity, which anyone with the public key can validate.
This technology is fundamental to cryptocurrency transactions, where public and private keys enable secure exchanges of digital assets. For example, in Bitcoin transactions, a public key allows others to send funds to a specific address, while the private key grants the owner access to spend those funds.
Public Key Cryptography also underpins secure communication protocols like SSL/TLS, email encryption, and digital certificates. By eliminating the need for a shared secret key, it enhances security and scalability in digital systems.