But before we dive into this topic, let me first clarify something: when it comes to crypto, there are two main types of keys.

First, you have asymmetric key cryptography also known as public-key encryption. This is the kind that makes your emails secure and allows for digital signatures. But here’s the catch: with this type of encryption, you need a different key to encrypt (the “public” key) than what you use to decrypt (the “private” key). And let me tell ya, keeping track of all those keys can be a real headache!

That’s where symmetric key cryptography comes in. With this type of encryption, you only need one key for both encrypting and decrypting your data. It’s like having the same password for everything simple, convenient…and also incredibly dangerous if someone gets hold of it (just ask Equifax).

So how does symmetric key cryptography work? Well, let me break it down for you in a way that even my grandma could understand: imagine you have a secret recipe for apple pie. To keep it safe from your nosy relatives, you write it on a piece of paper and put it inside an envelope. But instead of sealing the envelope with glue or tape (which anyone can easily open), you use a special kind of lock that only you know how to unlock.

Now let’s say you want to share this recipe with your best friend, but you don’t want her to be able to read it unless she has permission from you. So instead of giving her the key (which would defeat the purpose), you give her a copy of the lock and tell her how to use it. When she wants to access the recipe, she uses her own copy of the lock to unlock the envelope but only if she has your permission first.

That’s essentially what symmetric key cryptography is all about: sharing a secret (the recipe) with someone else (your best friend), while keeping that secret safe from prying eyes (your nosy relatives). And just like in our example, you need to make sure that the lock (or encryption algorithm) is strong enough to keep your data secure.

Of course, this is just scratching the surface there’s much more to learn about crypto if you want to become an expert in the field. But for now, let’s all take a deep breath and enjoy our apple pies…without worrying too much about who might be spying on us (unless your name is Edward Snowden).