Symmetric key encryption
Single shared key encryption and decryption.
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Symmetric key encryption flow
Both sender and receiver use the same shared key to encrypt and decrypt.
In symmetric key encryption, the sender and receiver both use the same shared secret key. The sender encrypts the plain text with the shared key to produce cipher text, which is transmitted. The receiver decrypts the cipher text using the same shared key to recover the plain text. The main weakness is that the shared key must be transmitted over an insecure medium, where it could be stolen.
Explanation: In symmetric key encryption, the sender and receiver both use the same shared secret key. The sender encrypts the plain text with the shared key to produce cipher text, which is transmitted. The receiver decrypts the cipher text using the same shared key to recover the plain text. The main weakness is that the shared key must be transmitted over an insecure medium, where it could be stolen.