Encryption is a technique used to protect data and transmissions by encoding them in a way that only authorized parties can access. There are two main types: symmetric encryption uses a single secret key for encryption and decryption, while asymmetric encryption uses two keys - a public key to encrypt and a private key to decrypt. Symmetric encryption is faster but less secure as it relies on secure key exchange, while asymmetric encryption uses separate keys and is more secure though computationally slower. Digital certificates verify the identity of websites, machines, or devices and are issued by certificate authorities to facilitate secure transactions online.