Security and Intended Use

Symmetric Key System

An encryption method where the same algorithmic key is used to both encrypt and decrypt messages, also known as secret key encryption.

Asymmetric Key System

An encryption method that uses different keys for encryption and decryption, such as public-key cryptography where a public key encrypts messages and a private key decrypts them.

Public-key Cryptography

An example of an asymmetric key system where a public key is used to encrypt messages, and only the corresponding private key can decrypt them.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

An asymmetric key system used for secure message passing, indicated by a padlock icon in the browser's address bar, ensuring encrypted communication and validation of ownership through digital certificates issued by certificate authorities (CAs).