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Key (cryptography)
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<p>A key in <a href="/facts/Cryptography/e94PEVau">cryptography</a> is a piece of information, usually a string of numbers or letters that are stored in a file, which, when processed through a cryptographic <a href="/facts/Algorithm/fnl5NmRt">algorithm</a>, can <a href="/facts/Encryption/16q29Fdv">encode</a> or decode cryptographic data. Based on the used method, the key can be different sizes and varieties, but in all cases, the strength of the encryption relies on the security of the key being maintained. A key's <a href="/facts/Security_strength/z7BMcnjn">security strength</a> is dependent on its algorithm, the size of the key, the generation of the key, and the process of key exchange. </p>