What's a public key?

The public key is one half of a cryptographic key pair that plays a crucial role in securing communications and data. This key is designed to be shared freely and can be distributed openly without posing any risk to the overall security of the system. Unlike the private key, which must be kept confidential to maintain the integrity and security of the cryptographic process, the public key can be shared with anyone. This characteristic allows individuals and organizations to engage in secure transactions, encrypt messages, and verify identities without the fear of compromising sensitive information. The ability to distribute the public key widely is fundamental to the functionality of various cryptographic protocols, enabling secure communication in today's digital landscape.

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