Introduction
IntelliBuddies Cryptography Activities enable the execution of cryptographic operations, which are crucial for ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation in modern computing systems. These operations employ mathematical algorithms and protocols to safeguard information from unauthorized access or tampering. Cryptography is essential in securing communications, protecting sensitive data, and verifying identities across various applications, such as online transactions, secure messaging, and file encryption.
Encryption Algorithms
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
AES is a widely used symmetric encryption algorithm known for its strong security and efficiency. It encrypts data in fixed-size blocks of 128 bits and supports key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits, offering flexibility for varying security needs. AES operates with an initialization vector (IV), typically 128 bits, in modes like Cipher Block Chaining (CBC). Renowned for its speed and robust security, AES is commonly used in secure communication and for encrypting data in storage applications.
DES (Data Encryption Standard)
DES is a symmetric key encryption algorithm that was once the federal standard for encrypting sensitive information. It processes 64-bit data blocks using a 56-bit key (with 8 bits reserved for parity), making it vulnerable to brute-force attacks with current computing power. DES requires a 64-bit IV when used in CBC mode. Although now considered obsolete, DES laid the foundation for modern encryption standards.
TripleDES (3DES or Triple Data Encryption Standard)
TripleDES strengthens DES by applying the algorithm to each data block three times, using either two or three keys for a total key size of 112 bits (two-key) or 168 bits (three-key). Like DES, TripleDES operates on 64-bit data blocks and requires a 64-bit IV in CBC mode. While more secure than DES, TripleDES is slower and less efficient than modern algorithms like AES, and its usage is gradually declining.
RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman)
RSA is an asymmetric encryption algorithm for secure data transmission and digital signatures. Unlike symmetric encryption, RSA employs a key pair: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. With key sizes starting at 1024 bits and typically 2048-bit or 4096-bit for modern applications, RSA offers a high level of security. It does not use an IV, as it encrypts smaller data chunks and relies on padding schemes like OAEP (Optimal Asymmetric Encryption Padding) to enhance security.
Hashing Algorithms
MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5)
MD5 is a hashing algorithm that generates a 128-bit (16-byte) hash value, often represented as a 32-character hexadecimal number. While once famous for data integrity checks, password hashing, and digital signatures, MD5 is now considered insecure due to vulnerabilities such as collision attacks. It is appropriate for quick integrity checks in non-critical systems but unsuitable for security-sensitive applications.
SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm 1)
SHA-1 generates a 160-bit (20-byte) hash value and is used widely for securing data, digital signatures, and certificates. However, due to vulnerabilities, including collision attacks, SHA-1 was deprecated in 2017. Modern cryptographic applications now favor more secure algorithms like SHA-256, as continued use of SHA-1 poses significant risks to data integrity.
SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit)
SHA-256 is part of the SHA-2 family and produces a 256-bit (32-byte) hash value. It is used widely in secure applications like blockchain technology, SSL/TLS certificates, and password hashing. Its strong resistance to collision and preimage attacks makes it a preferred choice for modern security needs, offering reliable protection against current hardware threats.
SHA-384 (Secure Hash Algorithm 384-bit)
SHA-384, also part of the SHA-2 family, generates a 384-bit (48-byte) hash value and is commonly used in high-security environments, including TLS/SSL protocols and digital certificates. It balances enhanced security and computational efficiency, making it ideal for systems handling susceptible data without the higher costs associated with SHA-512.
SHA-512 (Secure Hash Algorithm 512-bit)
SHA-512, another member of the SHA-2 family, produces a 512-bit (64-byte) hash value. Its extended hash length provides Exceptional cryptographic security, making it suitable for high-stakes applications such as government communications, classified information protection, and financial transactions.
