Public-key algorithms base their security on the solving of complex mathematical problems that are reliant on large keys for numbers. The nature of the mathematical problems distinguishes the different algorithms.

Two of the more common algorithms include:

  • RSA — Named for its inventors, Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Len Adleman, this algorithm works on very large numbers that can be factored into large primes
  • Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) — A U.S. Government standard, this algorithm works on large numbers that can be used to determine discrete logarithms