Q: What makes an encryption algorithm symmetric?
or
Q: What distinguishes a symmetric encryption algorithm?
- High speed
- Very large key sizes
- Different keys used for encryption and decryption
- The same keys used for encryption and decryption
Explanation: Symmetric encryption is like having a secret code that both the sender and the recipient share. The data can only be read when it has been decrypted using the same key that was used to encrypt it. It’s kind of like a secret handshake in that both parties have to use an identical gesture to complete the transaction. The primary benefit is increased speed since symmetric encryption is often much quicker than its opponent, asymmetric encryption. The difficulty, on the other hand, is in the safe distribution and administration of the secret key.
