The Data Encryption Standard (DES) is a symmetric-key algorithm for the encryption of electronic data.
Symmetric-key algorithms are algorithms for cryptography that use the same cryptographic keys for
both encryption of plaintext and decryption of ciphertext. The keys, in practice, represent a shared secret between two or more parties that
can be used to maintain a private information link.
This requirement that both parties have access to the secret key is one of the main drawbacks of symmetric key encryption.[Source - wikipedia]
Types of symmetric-key algorithms
- Stream Ciphers
- Block Ciphers
You can search for the detailed description. I am not going in deep here.
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DES - Data Encryption Standared
DESuses a single key for both encryption and decryption