What is the difference between a private key and a public key?

Private and public keys are two essential components of asymmetric encryption that work together to ensure data security. Here are the main differences between them:

The private key is used to decrypt data that has been encrypted using the corresponding public key and to create a digital signature.

🔵 The private key must be strictly confidential and accessible only to the owner. Its disclosure may result in compromise of data and assets.
🟢 It is used to sign transactions, documents and messages, confirming their authenticity and allowing the recipient to verify that the data actually comes from the owner of the private key.

The public key is used to encrypt data that can only be decrypted using the corresponding private key and to verify a digital signature created by the private key.

🟡 The public key can be freely distributed and shared with other users. Its disclosure does not present any risk because it cannot be used alone to …