Modern Encryption Algorithms Comparative Study: From Symmetric to Asymmetric Systems

This paper compares different ways of keeping private information secure in modern society, which are named encryption methods. It covers two main types: symmetric and asymmetric. For symmetric encryption, DES and AES are considered. The paper compares how fast and how safe they are. For asymmetric encryption, RSA and ECC are evaluated. It compares their mathematical basis and therefore causes different performances on devices with limited resources and other application situations. The study explains DES’s historical role and weaknesses, why AES is widely used for its security and speed, and the trade-offs of RSA and ECC in terms of key length, processing needs, and compatibility; it also analyses some potential applications, including Internet of Things, financial systems, and government data storage, showing how different algorithms fit different situations. Through the comparison between various cryptographies, it suggests that the choice of cryptography should depend on the specific use case. Future work should focus on responding to quantum computing threats.