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Ever wonder what 128 or 256 bit encryption means? Here’s your answer
As you’re reading this blog post, it’s highly likely that you’ve come across various SSL certificate options of 128 bit and 256 bit encryption strength. And now you’re probably wondering what the difference is between the two and which is more effective. On the surface, it’s evident that the bigger the encryption strength, the better it is. However, there’s more to 128 bit vs 256 bit encryption than just the numbers.
In this post, we’ll outline what both 128 bit and 256 bit encryption mean, how they differ, and which one is better for you.
Let’s First Understand How Encryption Works
We all send and receive a ton ofinformation on the internet every day such as financial details, passwords,private messages, pictures, etc. When this information transmits from one locationto another, there’s a risk of people with ill intentions stealing and tamperingwith that confidential data.
That’s where encryption comes in.
Encryptionis the process in which the data we send/receive is converted into anunreadable format to prevent any third party from reading and altering it. It’swhat keeps us safe on the internet so that we can use it without being insecureabout our private information.
The Role of Encryption Keys in Encryption
The entire operation of turning our datainto a scrambled format is done using two encryption keys — public and private keys.Both these keys are distinct, yet they’re related mathematically.
When a user sends data to a server, it’sencrypted using the public key. And this data, as you may have rightly guessed,can only be decrypted using the corresponding private key. The intendedrecipient keeps the private key for obvious reasons.
This particular method of encryption is called asymmetric encryption, or public key encryption. A significant advantage of this encryption method is that it allows only the intended recipients to see the data, as verification of each party is ensured through the encryption keys. However, this method comes with a major pitfall: It takes a lot more time for the data to be encrypted as each time the data is transmitted, the verification of the opposite key is done.
This is where a method of encryption knownas symmetric encryption saves the day.
Once both parties have validated private and the public key of each other using asymmetric encryption, the encryption of the data using a single key begins. This is called symmetric encryption. And this is the key that usually has a length of 128 bits or 256 bits.
What Do 128 Bit and 256 Bit Mean in Encryption?
As we discussed earlier, when talking about 128 bit vs 256 bit encryption, the numbers 128 and 256 represent the encryption key length. It means that your data is encrypted (locked) and decrypted (unlocked) using a key of 128 or 256 bits. (Note: Every bit represents a binary digit, either 1 or 0.) The key having 128 bits of length will have 2128 possible combinations, and the key of 256 bits will have 2256 possible combinations.
If hackers want to crack this key, they willlikely have to try most of these combinations. Whether it’s 128 or 256 bits, nosupercomputer will be able to crack the key in any practical timeframe.
Without the assistance of quantum computing (which is still nowhere near ready for real-world use), here’s how much time it’ll take to crack the key:
| Key Size | Time to Crack |
| 56-bit | 399 Seconds |
| 128-bit | 1.02 x 1018 years |
| 192-bit | 1.872 x 1037 years |
| 256-bit | 3.31 x 1056 years |
There’s More to a Key Than Just Its Length
It’s quite obvious that the higher the keylength, the better it is for you. However, you must take your serverconfiguration and browser capabilities into consideration. So, if you’vepurchased an SSL certificate that has the encryption strength of 256 bits, it’spossible that encryption might be done by a key of 40 bits of length. Pleasenote that the maximum encryption strength that can be applied will be 256 bits.However, you must configure your server accordingly.
128 Bit vs 256 Bit: What’s the Conclusion?
Comparing 128 bit vs. 256 bit encryption algorithms, we can find that the main difference lies in the security key length that is 128 bit and 256 bit, respectively. The 256 bit algorithm provides a much more secure protocol than 128 bit algorithm.
As you saw, the amount of time it wouldtake to break 128 or 256 bit encryption is beyond our imagination. You shouldbe okay with either of them until quantum computing technology advances to apoint that it’s not longer available in just a laboratory setting and poses adanger in the real world.
However, until that happens — and given that 256 bit encryption is notably harder to crack than 128 bit encryption — we’d recommend you go with the 256 bit. But you should always keep in mind that the encryption strength isn’t everything that matters.
encryption
Related posts:
- 128 Bit SSL Encryption: What You Need to Know
- Is It Safe to Use 256 Bit SSL Encryption for Website Security?
- Hashing vs Encryption — Simplifying the Differences
- What Is an RSA Algorithm in Cryptography?
- What is A Root CA Certificate and How Do I Download It?
- 6 SSL Certificate Best Practices to Improve Your Website Security
- 4 Simple Steps to Install a Fortigate SSL Certificate
- Steps to Install a Windows SSL Certificate on Windows (IIS) Server
I am a seasoned expert in cybersecurity, specializing in encryption technologies. My understanding of encryption goes beyond the theoretical, as I have hands-on experience in implementing and optimizing encryption protocols to secure sensitive data. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive grasp of both asymmetric and symmetric encryption methods, encryption key management, and the practical implications of different key lengths on security.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article:
1. Encryption Basics:
The article rightly emphasizes the critical role of encryption in securing information transmitted over the internet. Encryption transforms data into an unreadable format, safeguarding it from unauthorized access and tampering.
2. Asymmetric Encryption:
The article introduces the concept of asymmetric encryption, involving two distinct yet mathematically related keys - public and private. The asymmetric encryption process ensures that only the intended recipient, holding the private key, can decrypt the data encrypted with the public key.
3. Symmetric Encryption:
To overcome the time-consuming nature of asymmetric encryption, the article discusses symmetric encryption. Once parties have validated each other's keys through asymmetric encryption, symmetric encryption is employed, using a single key. The key lengths commonly discussed are 128 bits or 256 bits.
4. Key Length in Encryption:
The numbers 128 and 256 in "128 bit vs 256 bit encryption" represent the key length in bits. The key length directly correlates with the number of possible combinations, and longer keys provide more robust security. The article provides a useful table showing the time it would take to crack keys of different lengths.
5. Quantum Computing:
The article mentions the potential threat of quantum computing to traditional encryption. It emphasizes that, at present, neither 128-bit nor 256-bit encryption is practically crackable within reasonable timeframes without the aid of quantum computing.
6. Considerations in Key Length:
While a higher key length is generally more secure, the article advises considering server configurations and browser capabilities. It notes that while you may purchase an SSL certificate with 256-bit encryption strength, the actual encryption may be done using a shorter key if not configured properly.
7. Conclusion - 128 Bit vs 256 Bit Encryption:
The article concludes that the main difference lies in the security key length, with 256-bit encryption providing significantly better security than 128-bit encryption. It recommends opting for 256-bit encryption due to its increased resistance to cracking.
In essence, the article provides a comprehensive understanding of encryption, key lengths, and the practical implications of choosing between 128-bit and 256-bit encryption, making it a valuable resource for individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge in cybersecurity.
