In asymmetric encryption, what are the two types of keys used?

In asymmetric encryption, two distinct types of keys are utilized: the public key and the private key. The public key is openly distributed and can be used by anyone to encrypt data intended for the key's owner. In contrast, the private key is kept secret and is used by the owner to decrypt data that has been encrypted with their public key. This mechanism provides a foundation for secure communications, ensuring that even if the public key is widely known, only the owner retains the exclusive ability to decipher messages encrypted with it.

The correct choice highlights this fundamental pairing of keys, showcasing how asymmetric encryption enforces security and confidentiality through the use of two interrelated but distinct keys. This contrasts with other options that either misrepresent the nature of keys in asymmetric encryption or confuse the terminology employed in cryptographic practices.