What is the difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithms?

Symmetric encryption algorithms use the same key for both encryption and decryption of data. This means that both the sender and receiver must have the same key in order to communicate securely. Examples of symmetric encryption algorithms include AES and DES. On the other hand, asymmetric encryption algorithms use a pair of public and private keys for encryption and decryption. The public key is used to encrypt the data, while the private key is used to decrypt it. RSA and ECC are common examples of asymmetric encryption algorithms.

In summary, the main difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption algorithms lies in the number of keys used and how they are shared. Symmetric encryption uses a single shared key, while asymmetric encryption uses a pair of public and private keys.