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Chapter 2 2_Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption

The document outlines widely used cryptographic algorithms, categorized into symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption, hashing algorithms, and hybrid cryptography. Key algorithms discussed include AES, RSA, and SHA-2, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and common use cases. It emphasizes the importance of these algorithms in securing communications, data integrity, and authentication.

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26 views

Chapter 2 2_Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption

The document outlines widely used cryptographic algorithms, categorized into symmetric encryption, asymmetric encryption, hashing algorithms, and hybrid cryptography. Key algorithms discussed include AES, RSA, and SHA-2, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and common use cases. It emphasizes the importance of these algorithms in securing communications, data integrity, and authentication.

Uploaded by

Squall Lionheart
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Widely Used Cryptographic Algorithms

1. Symmetric Encryption Algorithms (Secret-Key Encryption)

These algorithms use a single key for both encryption and decryption. They are fast and efficient for
large-scale data encryption.

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)

• Key Sizes: 128-bit, 192-bit, 256-bit

• Block Size: 128-bit

• Strengths: Highly secure, fast, widely adopted (used in TLS, VPNs, disk encryption).

• Use Cases: Wi-Fi security (WPA2, WPA3), file encryption, government use (NIST standard).

Data Encryption Standard (DES) (Deprecated)

• Key Size: 56-bit

• Block Size: 64-bit

• Weaknesses: Vulnerable to brute-force attacks, replaced by AES.

• Use Cases: Previously used in financial systems, now mostly obsolete.

Triple DES (3DES) (Deprecated)

• Key Size: 112-bit or 168-bit

• Block Size: 64-bit

• Strengths: More secure than DES but slower.

• Weaknesses: Deprecated by NIST due to security concerns.

• Use Cases: Used in legacy banking systems and older encryption protocols.

Blowfish

• Key Size: 32-bit to 448-bit

• Block Size: 64-bit

• Strengths: Fast, flexible, open-source.

• Weaknesses: 64-bit block size makes it less secure than AES for large data.

• Use Cases: Password hashing (e.g., bcrypt), VPNs, file encryption.

Twofish

• Key Size: 128-bit, 192-bit, 256-bit

• Block Size: 128-bit


• Strengths: Secure, considered a strong alternative to AES.

• Use Cases: Open-source encryption tools, database security.

2. Asymmetric Encryption Algorithms (Public-Key Cryptography)

These algorithms use a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption, ensuring secure key
exchange and authentication.

RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman)

• Key Sizes: 1024-bit, 2048-bit, 4096-bit

• Strengths: Highly secure, widely used for secure communication.

• Weaknesses: Slow for large data encryption, vulnerable to quantum computing.

• Use Cases: SSL/TLS, digital signatures, secure email (PGP).

Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC)

• Key Sizes: 160-bit, 256-bit, 521-bit

• Strengths: Same security as RSA but with smaller keys and faster performance.

• Use Cases: Secure messaging (Signal app), SSL/TLS, cryptocurrency wallets.

Diffie-Hellman (DH) Key Exchange

• Purpose: Secure key exchange between two parties.

• Weaknesses: No authentication (vulnerable to MITM attacks unless combined with digital


signatures).

• Use Cases: Secure key exchange in TLS, VPNs, SSH.

Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA)

• Key Sizes: 1024-bit, 2048-bit, 3072-bit

• Strengths: Used for authentication and data integrity.

• Weaknesses: Not used for encryption, only for signing.

• Use Cases: Secure software updates, digital certificates (SSL/TLS).

3. Hashing Algorithms (Data Integrity & Authentication)

Hashing functions convert data into fixed-length values, ensuring data integrity without encryption.

Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) Family


• SHA-1 (Deprecated): 160-bit hash, broken by collision attacks.

• SHA-2 (Secure): SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512 used in blockchain, SSL/TLS.

• SHA-3: Latest standard, used for post-quantum cryptography.

Message Digest (MD) Family (Obsolete)

• MD5 (128-bit hash): Vulnerable to collisions, not secure.

• Use Case: Still used for checksums but not for security applications.

bcrypt

• Strengths: Secure password hashing with built-in salting.

• Use Cases: Storing passwords securely in databases.

Argon2

• Strengths: Memory-hard function, best for password hashing (winner of Password Hashing
Competition).

• Use Cases: Secure authentication systems.

4. Hybrid Cryptography (Combination of Symmetric & Asymmetric)

Some systems use both types for enhanced security and efficiency.

Transport Layer Security (TLS) (Hybrid)

• Uses RSA or ECC for key exchange.

• Uses AES or ChaCha20 for data encryption.

• Used in HTTPS, VPNs, and secure communication.

Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) (Hybrid)

• Uses RSA for key exchange.

• Uses AES or 3DES for encryption.

• Used in secure email communication.


Summary Table of Widely Used Algorithms

Algorithm
Algorithm Strengths Common Use Cases
Type

Symmetric AES Fast, secure Wi-Fi, VPNs, file encryption

DES (deprecated) Weak security Legacy banking systems

3DES (deprecated) More secure than DES Older banking systems

Blowfish Fast, flexible VPNs, password hashing

Twofish Strong alternative to AES Open-source encryption

Asymmetric RSA Secure, widely used SSL/TLS, digital signatures

ECC Smaller keys, strong security Secure messaging, SSL/TLS

Diffie-Hellman Secure key exchange TLS, SSH, VPNs

DSA Authentication only Digital certificates

SHA-2 (SHA-256, SHA-


Hashing Secure, widely used Blockchain, SSL/TLS
512)

Login systems,
bcrypt Secure password hashing
authentication

Memory-hard, best for


Argon2 Secure authentication
passwords

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