Symmetric encryption is the process of encrypting and decrypting data via a single shared key. The process begins when the sender wants to trasnmit data in a secure fashion. Unencrypted data is ciphered with the shared secret key. The encrypted data is then sent to the receiving host via the internet or local resource. Once the receiver obtains the encrypted data, the receiver uses the same shared secret key to decipher the data. The receiver then has the same exact data unencrypted as the sender. The biggest advantage besides the security is that symmetric encryption is way faster than asymmetric encryption. The disadvantage is getting the shared secret key between the two parties without being tampered with or without being seen/heard by an unauthorized host.
Mostly for performance - symmetric encryption is much much faster (order of magnitudes) than asymmetric encryption.
A key is used to encipher something. The same key can be used to decipher it.
A: Symmetric
A shared secret keyand other words;Both the sender and receiver share the same key
The term "symmetric encryption" refers to a form of computerized cryptography that uses a singular encryption key to guise an electronic message so that it can be sent in a secure manner.
In symmetric key techniques there is a single key and that key is kept secret. Symmetric key is a like a sub part of classical encryption.
Symmetric-key algorithms are a class of algorithms for cryptography that use trivially related, often identical, cryptographic keys for both decryption and encryption.
A shared secret key.
Mostly for performance - symmetric encryption is much much faster (order of magnitudes) than asymmetric encryption.
Symmetric
Symmetric encryption requires that both parties (sender and receiver) know and have the exact same encryption key. This key is used both for encrypting and decrypting the data. Using the same encryption algorithm means that only those individuals that know or have the same key will be able to read any messages encrypted by the symmetric key.
Twofish, Advanced Encryption Standard, Blowfish, Serpent, CAST 5, RC4, TDES, and IDEA are all examples of symmetric encryption methods. In short, any algorithm that uses the same or similar cryptographic keys for encryption and decryption is a symmetric encryption method. Symmetric encryption methods are also divided into two different categories, stream ciphers and block ciphers. These two encryption methods are much like the difference between an interpreter and a compiler in programming. Stream encrypts individual bytes one at a time, while Block encrypts volumes as a whole.