What is an asymmetric key?

Question

Options

• AA key used for encryption and decryption that is the same
• BA key used for encryption that is different from the key used for decryption
• CA key used for decryption that is different from the key used for encryption
• DA key used for both encryption and decryption that is generated in a pair

• A
  3% (1)
• B
  3% (1)
• C
  5% (2)
• D
  89% (33)

Explanation

D is correct because asymmetric cryptography is defined by its use of a mathematically linked key pair - a public key and a private key - where one encrypts and the other decrypts. The "pair" relationship is the core concept, not just the difference between keys.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A describes symmetric encryption, where the same single key both encrypts and decrypts - the opposite of asymmetric.
• B and C are traps: they correctly note the keys are different, but each describes only one key in isolation, missing the defining characteristic that the two keys are generated together as a mathematically linked pair.

Memory tip: Think of the word asymmetric - "a" means "not," so asymmetric means "not the same." The keys are not the same, and they always come as a pair (public + private). Contrast with symmetric, where the same key is used on both sides.

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