Definition[]
The public key is a cryptographic key that is used with an asymmetric (public key) cryptographic algorithm and is associated with a private key.
Overview[]
A public key is bound to its owner by a public key certificate. The public key is made public. In the case of digital signatures, the public key is used to verify a digital signature that was signed using the corresponding private key.
Source[]
- Digital Signature Standard (DSS) 4 (FIPS 186-3) (June 2009).