## What is a Public Key

The Public Key is the second part of the key pair that you use in asymmetric cryptography.

- Use this key to Encrypt messages. these messages are only readable by the owner of the corresponding [[Private Key]]. Only this key can decrypt data that you have encrypted with the public key.

- To Verify digital signatures. Any digital signatures that are created with the private key. The public key allows anyone to verify that the digital signature was created by the owner of the private key. This method authenticates the signer's identity and proves the message is genuine.

The Public key can be shared freely and it will not compromise any security. While the public key can encrypt data, it cannot decrypt data that has been encrypted with the private key. Ensuring that the owner of the private key can access the encrypted messages