Which cryptographic algorithm is used in asymmetric encryption?

Which cryptographic algorithm is used in asymmetric encryption?

• A. RSA
• B. Diffie-Hellman
• C. AES
• D. DES

Answer: (B)

In asymmetric encryption, you work with a public key and a private key. The algorithm designed for encrypting with a public key and decrypting with the private key is RSA. It’s widely used precisely because it supports public-key encryption and digital signatures, enabling secure message confidentiality without sharing a private key in advance. Diffie-Hellman, on the other hand, is a key-exchange method. It lets two parties agree on a shared secret over an insecure channel, but it does not by itself encrypt messages. AES and DES are symmetric algorithms, meaning they use the same key to encrypt and decrypt, which is the opposite of what asymmetric encryption entails.

In asymmetric encryption, you work with a public key and a private key. The algorithm designed for encrypting with a public key and decrypting with the private key is RSA. It’s widely used precisely because it supports public-key encryption and digital signatures, enabling secure message confidentiality without sharing a private key in advance.

Diffie-Hellman, on the other hand, is a key-exchange method. It lets two parties agree on a shared secret over an insecure channel, but it does not by itself encrypt messages. AES and DES are symmetric algorithms, meaning they use the same key to encrypt and decrypt, which is the opposite of what asymmetric encryption entails.