Final answer:
Public-key (asymmetric) encryption uses two keys and is considered secure for transmitting data over unsecured networks, while symmetric encryption is faster and requires secure key sharing. Both can be secure when used appropriately, and the choice depends on system requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Public-key encryption is more secure than symmetric key encryption' can be true or false depending on the context. Public-key encryption, also known as asymmetric encryption, uses two different keys for encrypting and decrypting messages: a public key that can be shared with everyone and a private key that is kept secret by the owner.
In contrast, symmetric encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption, and this key must be shared between the parties in a secure way.
Asymmetric encryption is generally considered more secure for transmitting data over an unsecured network because the encryption key can be shared openly without compromising the security of the encrypted data. Only the private key, which is not shared, can decrypt the data. However, symmetric encryption is faster and more efficient for large quantities of data when the secure exchange of keys can be guaranteed.
Another important aspect to consider is that both asymmetric and symmetric encryption methods can provide strong security when used properly. The choice between the two often depends on the specific requirements of a system, including performance needs, the size of data, and the ease of key distribution.