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Asymmetric Key Encryption(Public/Private)
Think of a box that we put things inside of:(put simply)
- Private key: can open the box
- Public key: can lock the box
The idea works on the principle that public keys are public so anyone can lock a message down but only the owner/creator of that public key can open those locked messages with their private key.
Public Keys
Can be used to open something if it was locked with a private key.
Private Keys
If used to lock something the public key can be used to then open the box. The catch: that message is also signed so we know exactly who the message is coming from.
Both together
Message => Lock(message, private key)
Sign the message
Signed Message => Lock(signed message, public key)
Lock the message like normal
Once the intended person has the package they:
- Open it with their private key
- Check the signature
- Find the public key for that signature
- Open the remaining layer with the public key
That last part only works because locking with a private key allows the public key to open the box afterwards.