title: Difference between asymmetric and symmetric encryption methods?
body: <p>OK I'm confused as how these two encryption methods work. I know that symmetric is conventional, and uses a shared private key between two users.</p>
  
  <p>Basically, I want to know</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li><p>The principles of how they work</p></li>
  <li><p>Their purpose</p></li>
  <li><p>Their relative performance</p></li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>of asymmetric and symmetric encryption methods.</p>