secret-key cryptography

An encryption method that uses the same secret key to encrypt and decrypt messages. The problem with this method is transmitting the secret key to a legitimate person who needs it. Contrast with "public key cryptography," which uses a two-part key; one public and one private. Very often, the public key method is used to transmit the secret key to the other party. For details on both, see cryptography.

Encrypt       DecryptSecret Key Cryptography  Private key   Private key

 Public Key     Private key   Public key
  Cryptography  Public key    Private key

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References in periodicals archive

These new cryptography enhancements support, in software, a wide variety of both public- and secret-key cryptography algorithms, including RSA, DES, AES and Elliptic Curve Cryptography.

MIPS TECHNOLOGIES INTROS NEW PROCESSOR CORE FOR ULTRA-LOW POWER SMART CARD APPS

These features support a variety of both public- and secret-key cryptography algorithms including RSA, DES, AES and Elliptic Curve Cryptography.

MIPS launches new processor core

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