What are the two main types of encryption?

The two main types of encryption are symmetric encryption and asymmetric encryption.

Symmetric encryption uses a single key for both encryption and decryption processes. This method is efficient for encrypting large amounts of data quickly, as the same key is shared between the sender and the receiver. However, the challenge lies in securely sharing the key without interception.

On the other hand, asymmetric encryption employs a pair of keys — a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. This method enhances security by allowing anyone to encrypt data using the public key, but only the holder of the private key can decrypt it. This system is fundamental to various security protocols used on the internet, such as SSL/TLS.

The other options mentioned do not accurately reflect the main types of encryption. Public key and private key encryption refer to the concept of asymmetric encryption but do not encompass the broader classification of encryption types. Hashing and data masking are techniques for protecting data but are not encryption methods. Meanwhile, data encryption and network encryption focus more on the context and application rather than differentiating the basic types of encryption itself.