Many encryption schemes are based on Public Key Encryption, or PKI. This form of encryption is based on complex mathematics, but the basic principal is quite simple: Everybody has two Keys.

Read on for the details of how Public Key Encryption works.

It’s encouraging to see articles in the mainstream press on data encryption. The New York Times ran a Q&A piece recently on how to encrypt USB sticks. This should be something everyone pays attention to considering how easy it is to lose those tiny USB key chain attachments.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/technology/personaltech/05askk.html