Block ciphers like DES encrypt data in blocks and are based on the Feistel cipher structure. DES uses a 56-bit key to encrypt 64-bit blocks through 16 rounds of substitution and permutation. Modern cryptanalysis techniques like differential and linear cryptanalysis exploit weak points in ciphers' structure, but DES remains reasonably resistant due to its design criteria. Proper block cipher design focuses on aspects like nonlinear round functions, complex subkey generation, and diffusion to withstand analytic attacks.