Encryption is the process of converting readable data into gibberish to protect it from hackers. The National Institute of Standards and Technology maintains encryption standards, with the Strong Encryption Standard being the most modern. Public key cryptography is a secure form of encryption that requires special keys to encrypt and decrypt messages. Blowfish is a complex encryption algorithm that supports a 448-bit encryption key and is available for free.
The secret message coding process has been used in espionage for centuries. Data encryption is a process of creating secret message formats for data stored in computer files. There are multiple encryption techniques available within the computer software for the data files. These techniques are generally known as data encryption algorithms. Each algorithm has unique benefits and usage patterns based on the type of data and desired level of protection.
Unencrypted data is information that can easily be read by a computer or a person. When data is created on a computer, it is automatically saved in an unencrypted format. This data is saved on computers or file servers and is easily accessible by potential hackers on the Internet. Encryption techniques are special processes designed to convert readable data into the equivalent of gibberish.
Encryption models and standards are maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This body approves and tests the newly developed encryption techniques. Currently, the Strong Encryption Standard (AES) is considered one of the most modern encryption standards. It is designed to support a 256-bit key encryption program. The Advanced Encryption Standard was created in 2001 and currently supports several encryption algorithms.
Public key cryptography is a standard form of encryption that requires special keys to encrypt and decrypt messages. Encryption techniques that use this mode of coding are usually considered secure because the data requires two parties to be unencrypted. Firstly it requires the correct decryption algorithm and secondly it requires a special encrypted key which is to be used with the algorithm.
What makes public key cryptography unique is the requirement for special keys to encrypt and decrypt messages. A public key is used by the encryption algorithm and a private key is used by the decryption algorithm. This type of encryption techniques are difficult to break due to the two key encryption process.
The complexity of encryption algorithms is based on the physical size of the encryption key. The larger the key, the more complex the encryption program can be. Early versions of encryption used the data encryption standard (DES), which only supported a 56-bit key. These were easily manipulated and quickly hacked by hackers. With AES standards, the permutations of possibilities make cracking the new encryption nearly impossible.
Blowfish is one of the most complex encryption algorithms currently available today. It was designed in 1993 by Bruce Schneier. This encryption algorithm is based on AES and supports a 448-bit encryption key. The cryptanalysis of the pufferfish algorithm is currently unknown. This encryption version is available for free.
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