Symmetric key encryption is the simplest form of encryption, where the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. This offers the advantage of high efficiency in encryption and decryption, but it is less secure because if someone obtains the key, anyone can decrypt the data.
Asymmetric key encryption uses two keys: a private key, which only the owner possesses, and a public key, which can be shared with anyone. The encrypted data can only be decrypted with the matching key. This ensures secure transmission because, for example, if data is encrypted with a public key, even if a third party intercepts it, they cannot decrypt it without the corresponding private key. However, it has drawbacks:
- First, since public keys are public, anyone can access them; if the content is encrypted with a private key, a hacker with the corresponding public key can decrypt it to access the information.
- Second, public keys do not contain server information, so they cannot verify the server's authenticity.
- Additionally, asymmetric encryption consumes more time, reducing data transmission efficiency.