Editing 1553: Public Key

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==Explanation==
 
==Explanation==
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In {{w|public-key cryptography}}, two keys are generated for a user. The public key can be used to {{w|encryption|encrypt}} messages, but not decrypt them. The private key is necessary for decryption, and as its name implies, is meant to be used solely by the user.
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In {{w|Public-key cryptography}}, two keys are generated for a user. The public key can be used to {{w|encryption|encrypt}} messages, but not decrypt them. The private key is necessary for decryption, and as its name implies, is meant to be used solely by the user.
  
 
Since the public key is initially designated to be shared, anyone who has that key can send the user an encrypted message that only the user can decrypt. [[Cueball]] has been following this rule, but he notices that it appears nobody has ever used his public key for anything. He contemplates sharing his ''private'' key, which he believes would generate more interest in him personally. However, he appears to overlook the fact that doing so would allow anyone to decrypt messages sent to him, thus defeating the entire purpose of encryption. (Although some systems can confirm the message sender by having a secret encryption key and a public decryption one, though this is negated again if both keys are released.)
 
Since the public key is initially designated to be shared, anyone who has that key can send the user an encrypted message that only the user can decrypt. [[Cueball]] has been following this rule, but he notices that it appears nobody has ever used his public key for anything. He contemplates sharing his ''private'' key, which he believes would generate more interest in him personally. However, he appears to overlook the fact that doing so would allow anyone to decrypt messages sent to him, thus defeating the entire purpose of encryption. (Although some systems can confirm the message sender by having a secret encryption key and a public decryption one, though this is negated again if both keys are released.)

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