[CISSP-D] Cryptography - Hybrid Approach

Hello,

In Cryptography (from Passport book), there is the hybrid approach to
achieve key distribution and scalability. Under the hybrid approach,
the symmetric algorithm encrypts the message AND the asymmetric
algorithm encrypts the symmetric key.

For the above concept, I would like to use PGP or OpenPGP to
understand the point better. If I am encrypting a message to my
collegue with his public key:
- Is the symmetric key generated on the fly which encrypt the message?

I use GNU Privacy Guard (GPG) for personal use. When I generate a
key, the option I select is the default selection.
(1) DSA and ElGamal (default)
(2) DSA (sign only)
(4) RSA (sign only)

All the above choices are either public key algorithms or key exchange
algorithms or digital signature algorithms. I did not see any
symmetric algorithm choices such as 3DES, Blowfish etc. Now, how do I
know which symmetric algorithm is being used to encrypt the message to
my collegue?

I hope I have not overloaded this question.

Thank you for any explanation.

Regards,

Subbarao










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