A string used to mathematically encode a message so that it can only be decrypted by someone with either the same key (symmetric encryption) or with a related key (asymmetric encryption).

Much like an actual key used for locking and re-opening doors, DEKs are used for the encryption and decoding of message text, sometimes in the form of a digital signature.

DEKs are used to encrypt and decrypt message text. They are a form of data security often used in e-mail to keep messages from being read by others than the intended recipient. A common encryption program is PGP (Pretty Good Privacy).

String of characters used to encode a message. This encoded message can only be read by someone with another related key.

Used for encryption of message text and (with certain choices among a set of alternative algorithms) for computation of message integrity check (MIC) quantities.

Used for the encryption of message text and for the computation ofmessage integrity checks (signatures). See also: encryption. Data Encryption Standard (DES)

a string of characters used to mathematically encode a message so that it can only be read by someone in possession of another related key (e.g., PGP Key).