Public Key in AP Computer Science Principles

Definition

In cryptography, a public key is part of an asymmetric cryptographic system used for encrypting data. It can be freely shared with others without compromising security since it cannot be used alone to decrypt the encrypted data.

Related terms

Private Key:

The complementary key to a public key in an asymmetric cryptographic system. It is kept secret and used for decrypting data encrypted with the corresponding public key.

Digital Certificate: A digital document issued by a trusted third party that binds an entity's identity to its public key.

Key Exchange: The process of securely sharing cryptographic keys between two parties over an insecure communication channel.