Encryption
Encryption is the translation of data into a secret
code. Encryption
is the most effective way to achieve data security. To read an
encrypted file, you must have access to a secret key or password that
enables you to decrypt it. Unencrypted data is called plain text,
encrypted data is referred to as cipher text.
Secure state of the art encryption algorithms are AES,
Blowfish,
Twofish.
AES
stands for Advanced Encryption Standard. AES is a symmetric key
encryption technique which will replace the commonly used Data
Encryption Standard (DES). The AES algorithm uses one of three cipher
key strengths: a 128-, 192-, or 256-bit encryption key (password). Each
encryption key size causes the algorithm to behave slightly
differently, so the increasing key sizes not only offer a larger number
of bits with which you can scramble the data, but also increase the
complexity of the cipher algorithm.
Blowfish
is a symmetric block cipher that can be used as a drop-in
replacement for DES or IDEA. It takes a variable-length key, from 32
bits to 448 bits, making it ideal for both domestic and exportable use.
Blowfish was designed in 1993 by Bruce Schneier as a fast, free
alternative to existing encryption algorithms. Since then it has been
analyzed considerably, and it is slowly gaining acceptance as a strong
encryption algorithm. Blowfish is unpatented and license-free, and is
available free for all uses.
Twofish
is a block cipher by Counterpane Labs. It was one of the five
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) finalists. Twofish is unpatented,
and the source code is uncopyrighted and license-free; it is free for
all uses.
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