Asymmetric Encryption is a way to protect data using two keys that are mathematically linked, a public key to encrypt and a private key to decrypt. Anyone can lock a message with the public key, but only the holder of the private key can open it. It also enables digital signatures, where the private key signs and others verify with the public key.

For example, when your browser establishes a secure HTTPS session, it uses asymmetric encryption to exchange a secret safely.

Related terms: Public key, Private key, RSA, Digital signature, Key exchange