The Microsoft® CryptoAPI can be used by applications to easily encrypt and decrypt messages and files. This section discusses the various options available for encrypting data. For a hands-on description of how to encrypt data by using the CryptoAPI, see Encrypting Files and Messages.
The encryption algorithms available to an application depend on the cryptographic service provider (CSP) being used. However, most CSPs share most of the attributes discussed here. A symmetric algorithm is used for all data encryption performed by using the CryptoAPI, regardless of which CSP is installed.