A public key is a cryptographic key that is used in asymmetric encryption algorithms and digital signature schemes. It is part of a public key pair, which consists of a public key and a corresponding private key.
Public key cryptography utilizes two distinct keys: a public key and a private key. The public key is widely shared and used by others to encrypt data or verify digital signatures. It is safe to share the public key with others as it cannot be used alone to decipher encrypted data or generate a valid digital signature.
On the other hand, the private key is kept secret and used by the owner to decrypt the encrypted data or generate digital signatures. The private key must be securely stored and protected from unauthorized access.
Public key cryptography enables secure communication over untrusted networks, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of transmitted data. It is an essential component of various security protocols, including SSL/TLS, SSH, and PGP.