How They Work Together: Hybrid Encryption
In practice, most encryption systems use both symmetric and asymmetric encryption together in what's called hybrid encryption. Here's why: asymmetric encryption is great for securely exchanging keys, but it's too slow for encrypting large amounts of data. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires a shared key. The solution? Use asymmetric encryption to securely share a symmetric key, then use that symmetric key to encrypt the actual data.
Hybrid Encryption in Action
Real-World Encryption Implementations
End-to-End Encryption (E2EE)
End-to-end encryption ensures that only the sender and recipient can read messages. The service provider cannot decrypt the data, even if compelled by law enforcement. Apps like Signal, WhatsApp, and iMessage use E2EE by default for messages.
E2EE typically uses hybrid encryption: asymmetric keys are exchanged once when users first connect, and then symmetric session keys are generated for each conversation or message.
TLS/SSL (Transport Layer Security)
Every time you see the padlock icon in your browser, TLS is at work. It protects data in transit between your browser and a web server. TLS uses a handshake process that combines asymmetric encryption (to establish a secure connection and exchange keys) with symmetric encryption (to encrypt the actual data transfer).
TLS protects against eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks, but it only encrypts data in transit. Once data reaches the server, it may be stored unencrypted unless the service provides additional encryption at rest.
PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)
PGP is one of the oldest and most trusted encryption systems, primarily used for encrypting emails and files. It uses hybrid encryption: your message is encrypted with a random symmetric key, and that key is then encrypted with the recipient's public key. PGP also provides digital signatures to verify the sender's identity.
Encryption Implementations Compared
| Implementation | Primary Use | Encryption Type | Who Holds Keys |
|---|---|---|---|
| E2EE (Signal, WhatsApp) | Messaging | Hybrid (asymmetric + symmetric) | Only the users |
| TLS/SSL | Web browsing, data in transit | Hybrid (asymmetric + symmetric) | Server and client |
| PGP/GPG | Email, file encryption | Hybrid (asymmetric + symmetric) | Users manage their own keys |
| AES File Encryption | File/disk encryption | Symmetric only | The user |
| VPN Encryption | Network traffic | Hybrid (asymmetric + symmetric) | VPN provider and client |
When Should You Care About Encryption Types?
When to Care About Encryption Types
- Choosing a messaging app - Look for end-to-end encryption enabled by default, not just "encryption"
- Storing sensitive files - Use AES-256 encryption for local files. Our encryption tool makes this easy
- Shopping or banking online - Verify the padlock icon (TLS) is present before entering sensitive information
- Sending sensitive emails - Consider PGP/GPG for truly sensitive communications
- Choosing cloud storage - Look for services offering client-side (zero-knowledge) encryption
The Takeaway
You don't need to become a cryptography expert, but understanding the basics of how encryption works helps you make informed decisions about your digital security. The key takeaways are:
- Symmetric encryption is fast and used for bulk data encryption
- Asymmetric encryption solves the key-sharing problem
- Most real-world systems use both together (hybrid encryption)
- Look for end-to-end encryption in messaging apps and zero-knowledge encryption in cloud storage
The good news is that strong encryption is increasingly built into the tools we use every day. By choosing services that implement encryption properly and understanding what different encryption claims actually mean, you can significantly improve your digital security without needing a computer science degree.