Asymmetric vs Symmetric Encryption: My Critical Analysis

I spent hours delving into these encryption systems, and frankly, I am astonished by the naivety of certain users regarding these technologies. Let me share my unfiltered vision with you.

Symmetric Encryption - The Old School

I use it daily without even thinking about it. One key to do everything? It's fast, it's convenient, but it's also terribly risky! Imagine sharing a secret with someone using the same code to lock and unlock it. If a third party intercepts that key during the exchange, you're done for!

AES is everywhere - our banking applications love it for its speed. But this speed comes at a cost: key sharing remains a security nightmare that no one really wants to admit.

Asymmetric encryption - the imperfect revolution

With two different keys, I can finally breathe! My public key can be shared without fear while my private key remains my little secret. It's great for my crypto transactions, but my god, it's slow! Every time I use RSA, I could almost take a nap while waiting.

Large crypto exchange platforms constantly use it - they have no choice. It's that or risk millions in thefts. But this additional security slows down the entire system.

The reality we don't want to see

Between us, the difference is clear:

• The symmetric: fast but vulnerable like a cheap lock
• The asymmetric: secure but slow like an asthmatic turtle

I find it ridiculous that these technologies are presented as infallible. Algorithms like RSA and ECC have their weaknesses, and with the advent of quantum computing, they could fall like dominoes.

Crypto exchange platforms juggle between these two systems, often using asymmetric encryption to establish a secure channel, and then symmetric encryption for massive data. It's pragmatic, but it also multiplies the points of vulnerability.

The truth? No system is perfect. I prefer asymmetric for my private keys, but I will never delude myself into thinking it's infallible.

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