Terminology

symmetric key system: uses (essentially) the same key for encryption and decryption

private key system: Alice and Bob have to privately agree on a secret key before they can send messages

asymmetric key system:  uses essentially different keys for encryption and decryption

public key system: any system where Alice and Bob do not have to privately agree on a key before messages can be sent

key exchange or key agreement system:  a public key system which lets Alice and Bob agree on a secret key by having a public conversation

trap door system:  an asymmetric public key system where the encryption key is public but the decryption key is private

Merkle's puzzles is a key exchange system.

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Converted by Mathematica      March 17, 2001