https://blog.param.sh/tags/decrypt/Recent content in Decrypt on DevLogsHugoenSat, 18 Apr 2026 18:23:33 +0530https://blog.param.sh/posts/symmetric-vs-asymmetric-encryption/Sat, 18 Apr 2026 18:23:33 +0530https://blog.param.sh/posts/symmetric-vs-asymmetric-encryption/<p>Before we jump into TLS, certificates, and all the “why is my browser yelling at me” stuff… we need to get one thing straight:</p> <blockquote> <p>How encryption actually works underneath?</p> </blockquote> <p>There are <strong>two types of encryption</strong> you’ll see everywhere:</p> <ul> <li>Asymmetric</li> <li>Symmetric</li> </ul> <h1 id="symmetric-encryption-same-key-both-sides"> Symmetric Encryption (Same Key, Both Sides) <a class="heading-link" href="#symmetric-encryption-same-key-both-sides"> <i class="fa-solid fa-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link to heading"></i> <span class="sr-only">Link to heading</span> </a> </h1> <p>This is the simpler one. This is where you and I share a secret key.</p> <ul> <li>I encrypt using that key</li> <li>You decrypt using the same key</li> </ul> <div class="highlight"><pre tabindex="0" class="chroma"><code class="language-text" data-lang="text"><span class="line"><span class="cl">Encrypt(message, key) -&gt; ciphertext </span></span><span class="line"><span class="cl">Decrypt(ciphertext, key) -&gt; message </span></span></code></pre></div><p>It’s useful because it’s really fast—like, very fast—and that makes it great for handling large amounts of data without slowing things down. Also note that in context of this <a href="https://blog.param.sh/series/encryption-in-transit" >series</a>, it typically is used after a connection has already been established.</p>