What is a public key?

In cryptography, a public key is a numerical value that can be freely shared and used to encrypt data. Public keys are typically used in conjunction with private keys as part of a public key cryptosystem, also known as asymmetric cryptography.

Public key cryptography uses a pair of keys: a public key and a private key. The public key can be freely shared and is used to encrypt data, while the private key is kept secret and is used to decrypt the data that has been encrypted using the corresponding public key.

Public keys are important because they provide a way to securely transmit data without the need for a shared secret between the sender and the recipient. Anyone can use a public key to encrypt data, but only the person with the corresponding private key can decrypt the data.

Public keys are commonly used in applications such as digital signatures, where they are used to verify the authenticity of a message and the identity of the sender. They are also used in cryptocurrency transactions, where they are used to receive payments and prove ownership of digital assets.

Overall, public keys are a key component of many modern cryptographic systems, providing a way to securely transmit and authenticate data without the need for a shared secret between the sender and the recipient.

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