Session keys are temporary keys used for encrypting information during a communication session and are discarded when the session ends. They are usually symmetric and less secure than asymmetrical keys but their volume makes them difficult to crack. However, poorly crafted algorithms and easily crackable codes make them vulnerable to attacks.
A session key is a temporary method of encrypting information. When a user opens a communication session, a key is generated for that particular session. That key is used for all communications during that period and then discarded when the session ends. Session keys are usually symmetric and relatively simple when it comes to encryption. This simplicity would generally be one of the major drawbacks of using the key, but since so many keys are in operation at the same time and the keys aren’t used very long, it’s not a big deal.
Encryption works using keys. One key is used to encrypt or encrypt data, and another is used to decrypt or decrypt it. When these keys are the same, or at least very similar, then they are symmetric. When the keys are very different, it’s an asymmetrical system. In most cases, a symmetrical key is less secure than an asymmetrical one since breaking a key opens the code completely.
Session keys differ from typical keys in one important way; they are created to exist for a very short time. Unlike a regular key, which can be used without modification for years, a session key is meant to be used for only a few seconds to a few hours. For example, a key is generated when a user logs in to check his email and then discarded when he logs out. This gives these keys a number of advantages and disadvantages that are unique to this style of encryption.
Their main advantage is their volume. Because each communication session uses a unique key, even a medium-sized business can generate hundreds of keys every day. The number of keys that a potential attacker would have to look into just to gain access to important information is immense. While a given session key may be relatively easy to crack, the likelihood that that random key contains important information is very low.
One of the main influences on the ease of cracking keys is the amount of encrypted material that can be referenced. The more material there is, the easier it is to break. Since a session key has very little reference material, the simplicity of the key is less important.
On the other hand, session keys are notorious for poorly crafted algorithms and easily crackable codes. This becomes especially apparent when attackers actually start finding patterns in key generation or decrypting the actual algorithm. In both cases, the session key system opens completely, providing no security.
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