Open source encryption methods use data keys instead of secret algorithms to encrypt and decrypt information. Data keys are complex sets of numbers and characters that cause the algorithm to encrypt information in a unique way. There are two types of data keys: symmetric and asymmetric. Symmetric uses the same key to lock and unlock data, while asymmetric uses a pair of keys, one private and one public.
Encryption methods take information and mask it so that no one can read the content until the same method is used to decrypt the information in its original form. Some encryption methods rely on using a secret algorithm to encrypt and decrypt information. Open source encryption methods have freely available source code, so they rely on symmetric or asymmetric data keys instead of a secret algorithm.
The source code for open source software is freely available for anyone to download. This allows the entire programming community to learn from the source code, check the code for bugs or security vulnerabilities, and contribute their source code to improve the software. Open source software boasts this advantage, but it means that anyone who downloads the source code for an open source encryption program automatically knows the algorithm the method uses. Keeping the algorithm secret is not an option, so these methods rely on data keys for encryption.
Data keys contain a complex set of numbers and characters that algorithms use to determine their encryption pattern. A data key will cause the algorithm to encrypt information in a way that is unique to it. After the information is encrypted, the program will need the data key used to encrypt the information to decrypt or decipher the information. If users keep their data key safe, unauthorized people will not be able to decrypt their files. This system allows the algorithm used by an open source encryption method to be in the public domain while preserving the security of the information it protects.
There are two types of data keys in open source encryption methods: symmetric and asymmetric keys. A symmetric key cryptography system uses the same key to lock and unlock data. This can take the form of a randomly generated data key or password used by the algorithm to encrypt the contents of the file. Users who wish to encrypt information so that no one but themselves can view it will keep the data key or password for themselves. If a user wants another person to be able to decrypt their files, they should provide that person with a copy of the data key or share the password.
Asymmetric keys work by using a pair of keys, one private and one public. The data within each key is mathematically derived from the same source. The encryption user does not share the private key with anyone and distributes the public key to anyone. If someone wants to encrypt a document for that user, he can use his public key for encryption. Once the document is encrypted with the public key, the algorithm cannot decrypt it without the private key.
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