key, cryptographic

0.01 sec.

key, cryptographic

Secret value used by a computer together with a complex algorithm to encrypt and decrypt messages. Since confidential messages might be intercepted during transmission or travel over public networks, they require encryption so that they will be meaningless to third parties in order to maintain confidentiality. The intended recipient, and only the recipient, must also be able to decrypt them. If someone encrypts a message with a key, only someone else with a matching key should be able to decrypt the message. See also data encryption.

How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Email
Feedback

? Mentioned in

cryptographic key
cryptography

Diffie-Hellman
HSM

key distribution
secret-key algorithm

strong encryption
virtual private network

Encyclopedia browser

? Full browser

key system
key telephone system
key telephone unit
key transformation
key value
Key West
key word
key, cryptographic
Key, David M
Key, David McKendree
Key, Ellen
Key, Francis Scott
Key, Valdimer Orlando, Jr.
key-disk machine
key-to-disk machine

Encyclopedia

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup \| Partner with us

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.