What are the differences between AES and RSA encryption?

What are the differences between AES and RSA encryption?

AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric encryption algorithm, while RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) is an asymmetric encryption algorithm. AES uses the same key for both encryption and decryption, making it faster and suitable for large data. RSA, on the other hand, uses a pair of keys (public and private) and is primarily used for secure key exchange.

Which one is more secure?

Both AES and RSA are considered secure, but they serve different purposes. AES is very secure for encrypting data, while RSA is secure for transmitting keys. However, RSA's security relies on the difficulty of factoring large numbers, which can be a concern as computational power increases.

When should I use AES over RSA?

You should use AES when you need to encrypt large amounts of data quickly and securely. Use RSA when you need to securely exchange keys or establish a secure connection.

Are there any other encryption algorithms I should know about?

Yes, there are several other encryption algorithms like DES (Data Encryption Standard), Blowfish, and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography). Each has its own strengths and use cases.