PGP: A Hybrid Solution

Cryptography is the science of keeping data secure. Encryption is the process of using cryptography to encode data so that it's meaning is not immediately obvious. There are two main types of cryptography that are used, symmetric and asymmetric. It is also possible to use a hybrid of the two; Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) by Network Associates is an example of this. Symmetric and asymmetric cryptography both have advantages and disadvantages that will be discussed in this paper. PGP brings the best of each together and also works to minimize the disadvantages. This will also be discussed. Alice and Bob are often used as examples when cryptography is explained, therefore I will also use them for most examples.