Encryption, 128-bit, 256-bit… how much do you need?
We all hear these terms but what do they mean? Obviously the bigger the number the more secure you are. But how much do you need and why do you need so much?
One bit is the smallest amount of data in computer terms. In other words, you can’t divide one bit into more pieces. The “number” in bit encryption is a value that stands for all possible combinations one would have to try in order to reveal the data being encrypted. But 128-bit doesn’t mean there are only 128 possible combinations.
It’s kind of like that old high school locker with a rotary combination wheel. Most of those had 3 numbers to remember but there were a lot more combinations to try before you could open it. It was because of the 0-9 numbering system which was multiplied as many times as there were numbers to remember or simply 10 to the 3rd power (10³). This makes it 10×10x10 = 1,000 possible combinations.
128-bit is the power value and the numbering system computers use is 0-1. Since 128-bit is so much most calculators run out if room trying to count it, we’ll start with lower numbers.
- 8-bit (or 1 byte) encryption would be 2 to the 8th power which is 256
- 16-bit (or 2 bytes) encryption would be 2 to the 16th power which is 65,536
- 32-bit (or 4 bytes) encryption would be 2 to the 32nd power which is 4,294,967,296
- 64-bit (or 8 bytes) encryption would be 2 to the 64th power which is 18,446,744,073,709,551,616
So you can see the number of possible combinations grows very fast. Looking at that last example imagine the 128-bit encryption number.
So now that we know how to count it, let’s figure out how much do we need. To measure it, you need to ask yourself what year and even month you are reading this in. Computer processors get faster almost every day, which means they can process more data in less time. 128-bit could be as simple to crack tomorrow as 2 or 4-bit encryption today.
For example; an encryption method standardized by a group of companies in 1995 called CSS (Content Scrambling System) uses a 40-bit key. The standard was implemented in to every DVD player and DVD disk on the market to protect from copying or extracting the video. Today, CSS standard can be cracked by the lowest priced PC on the market in less than one second. Suddenly, 128-bit doesn’t seem all that much anymore.
Today’s latest encryption programs can use up to 4,096-bits of encryption to battle modern processors. While 128-bit is still being used and is somewhat secure, a new 256-bit and even 512-bit option is quickly being introduced in to every application in need of data privacy.
…how much do you need?
As much as you are allowed.
Article: 1 | ... | 9 | 10 | 11
January 1st, 2005 | 2 Comments | Post a comment | Permanent Link
Related articles
Wireless Home Networking
We all hear these terms but what do they mean? Obviously the bigger the number the more secure you are. But how much do you need and why do you need so much?
One bit is the smallest amount of data in computer terms. In other words, you can’t divide one bit into more pieces. The “number” in bit encryption is a value that stands for all possible combinations one would have to try in order to reveal the data being encrypted. But 128-bit doesn’t mean there are only 128 possible combinations.
It’s kind of like that old high school locker with a rotary combination wheel. Most of those had 3 numbers to remember but there were a lot more combinations to try before you could open it. It was because of the 0-9 numbering system which was multiplied as many times as there were numbers to remember or simply 10 to the 3rd power (10³). This makes it 10×10x10 = 1,000 possible combinations.
128-bit is the power value and the numbering system computers use is 0-1. Since 128-bit is so much most calculators run out if room trying to count it, we’ll start with lower numbers.
- 8-bit (or 1 byte) encryption would be 2 to the 8th power which is 256
- 16-bit (or 2 bytes) encryption would be 2 to the 16th power which is 65,536
- 32-bit (or 4 bytes) encryption would be 2 to the 32nd power which is 4,294,967,296
- 64-bit (or 8 bytes) encryption would be 2 to the 64th power which is 18,446,744,073,709,551,616
So you can see the number of possible combinations grows very fast. Looking at that last example imagine the 128-bit encryption number.
So now that we know how to count it, let’s figure out how much do we need. To measure it, you need to ask yourself what year and even month you are reading this in. Computer processors get faster almost every day, which means they can process more data in less time. 128-bit could be as simple to crack tomorrow as 2 or 4-bit encryption today.
For example; an encryption method standardized by a group of companies in 1995 called CSS (Content Scrambling System) uses a 40-bit key. The standard was implemented in to every DVD player and DVD disk on the market to protect from copying or extracting the video. Today, CSS standard can be cracked by the lowest priced PC on the market in less than one second. Suddenly, 128-bit doesn’t seem all that much anymore.
Today’s latest encryption programs can use up to 4,096-bits of encryption to battle modern processors. While 128-bit is still being used and is somewhat secure, a new 256-bit and even 512-bit option is quickly being introduced in to every application in need of data privacy.
…how much do you need?
As much as you are allowed.
Article: 1 | ... | 9 | 10 | 11 January 1st, 2005 | 2 Comments | Post a comment | Permanent Link
Related articles
Wireless Home Networking
