What are some common encryption algorithms and their uses?

What are some common encryption algorithms and their uses?

Common encryption algorithms include AES, RSA, and DES. AES is widely used for securing data, RSA for secure key exchange, and DES is mostly outdated.

Can you explain how AES works?

AES, or Advanced Encryption Standard, uses a symmetric key algorithm to encrypt data in blocks of 128 bits, with key sizes of 128, 192, or 256 bits.

What makes RSA different from AES?

RSA is an asymmetric encryption algorithm, meaning it uses a pair of keys (public and private) for encryption and decryption, while AES uses the same key for both.

Are there any specific use cases for these algorithms?

Yes, AES is often used in file encryption and VPNs, RSA is used in secure web communications (SSL/TLS), and DES was used in early network security but is now considered insecure.