Cryptographic keys are special codes used to keep data safe by turning readable information into unreadable code and then back again. There are two main types: symmetric keys, where the same key is used to both lock (encrypt) and unlock (decrypt) data, and asymmetric keys, where one key locks the data and a different key unlocks it.
Symmetric keys are faster, but both people need to share the same secret key, while asymmetric keys use a public key everyone can see and a private key only one person knows, making it safer to share.
These keys help protect information, keeping it secure during online communication. An example of a symmetric-key algorithm is AES (Advanced Encryption Standard). RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) are examples of asymmetric algorithms.
Payment apps used by leading banks and fintechs use cryptographic keys to protect transactions and sensitive data from being accessed by unauthorized users.
What do cryptographic keys help with in mobile apps?
Encrypting and decrypting data, especially for apps used in highly sensitive industries.
