public-key encryption

public-key encryption

(cryptography)(PKE, Or "public-key cryptography") Anencryption scheme, introduced by Diffie and Hellman in 1976,where each person gets a pair of keys, called the public keyand the private key. Each person's public key is publishedwhile the private key is kept secret. Messages are encryptedusing the intended recipient's public key and can only bedecrypted using his private key. This is often used inconjunction with a digital signature.

The need for sender and receiver to share secret information(keys) via some secure channel is eliminated: allcommunications involve only public keys, and no private key isever transmitted or shared.

Public-key encryption can be used for authentication,confidentiality, integrity and non-repudiation.

RSA encryption is an example of a public-key cryptosystem.

alt.security FAQ.

See also knapsack problem.