Definition
128-bit encryption is a type of encryption process that utilizes a 128-bit key to encode and decode data. It’s one of the most robust encryption techniques accessible today, offering advanced security for sensitive data.
As a result, devices, e-commerce transactions, and online banking commonly use it. Moreover, 128-bit encryption offers high security and is regarded as very hard to decipher, even with sophisticated software and powerful computers.
Estimates of the time needed to decipher 128-bit encryption differ largely based on the hypotheses used in the computations. However, it is globally acknowledged that brute force deciphering the 128-bit encryption would take billions and billions of years with the present computing technology.
How Does 128-bit Encryption Work?
The AES 128-bit functions by repeating several rounds of substitution, transposition, and combining operations on the plaintext input data block to generate the final encrypted ciphertext output. Here are the main steps:
- KeyExpansion: The 128-bit input key is extended to produce round keys for every round.
- Initial round: An initial round action is conducted by XORing the plaintext block using the first-round key.
- Main rounds: The data passes via 10 rounds of 4 operations, i.e. SubBytes, ShiftRows, MixColumns, and AddRoundKey.
- Final Round: This is the last round, which includes three operations: SubBytes, ShiftRows, and AddRoundKey.
- Ciphertext: The result of the final round is the encrypted ciphertext.
The mathematical procedure series presents dispersion and confusion at every round to extensively scramble the plaintext into a random-looking ciphertext.
Why Do You Use AES-128 Bit Encryption?
Here are some of the main reasons why this type of encryption is widely used to protect sensitive information.
- Robust Security: Provides robust security because of its security system, which includes a 128-bit key, ten circles and a sophisticated accounting system.
- Resists Brute Force Attack: A 128-bit key contains 3.4 x 10^38 possible keys, preventing brute force attacks.
- Widely accepted: AES is developed by NIST and used by governments and organizations worldwide to protect data.
- Speed: AES 128-bit is ideal for encrypting large amounts of data due to its fast hardware and software implementation.
- Open Algorithms: Unlike proprietary algorithms that can be suspect, AES is open and globally accessible.
- NIST Certification: This is rigorous testing and verification by NIST to protect it against vulnerabilities.
Is AES-128 Bit Encryption Hackable?
Despite its strength, 128-bit encryption is supposedly vulnerable to brute force attacks because it depends on a fixed 128-bit key. However, deciphering AES 128 necessitates overcoming several major obstacles:
- Key size: A 128-bit key has 3.4 x 1038 possible keys, making it impossible to attempt all combinations.
- Computational power: Even with the latest computing technologies, a brute force attack may take billions of years to crack a 128-bit AES key.
- Robust algorithm: The fundamental algorithm utilizes solid permutation, substitution, and key mixing to avert cryptanalysis.
- No recognized breaks: The AES algorithm has not been successfully broken, regardless of major cryptanalysis trials.
- Actual world use: Extra security measures combined with AES make hacking impossible.