Which encryption method is an example of symmetric encryption?

The correct method that exemplifies symmetric encryption is AES, which stands for Advanced Encryption Standard. Symmetric encryption means that the same key is used for both encrypting and decrypting data. AES operates on fixed block sizes of data, applying a series of transformations based on the key to secure the information. This makes it efficient for large amounts of data and widely adopted for securing sensitive data in various applications.

In contrast, RSA and Elliptic Curve Cryptography are examples of asymmetric encryption methods, which use a pair of keys—a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. DES, which stands for Data Encryption Standard, is also a symmetric encryption method, but it has largely been replaced by AES due to advancements in technology and the demands for stronger security. AES offers a higher level of security and is the recommended standard for data encryption today.