Public Key Cryptography, also known as asymmetric cryptography, is a cryptographic method that employs two distinct but mathematically linked keys: a public key, which is openly distributed, and a private key, which is kept confidential. This dual-key system offers a highly secure way to encrypt and decrypt messages, as well as authenticate digital signatures. In a typical use case, a message encrypted with the recipient's public key can only be decrypted by the corresponding private key, ensuring that only the intended recipient can access the information. Conversely, messages signed with a private key can be verified using the corresponding public key, proving the origin of the message. The system offers robust security measures for a wide array of applications, from secure communications and financial transactions to identity verification, all while resolving many of the key distribution issues that plagued earlier, symmetric encryption methods.