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What is 3DES or TripleDES? |
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DES stands for Data Encryption Standard
and is a block cipher. It was accepted as a standard in 1976. When
the computer power increased so called “brute force” attacks were
able to perform, i.e. to test all possible combinations (2^56) and
find the right key. To solve this the 3DES algorithm which is using
DES three times in a row using new separate keys in every step, was
developed. This results in 2^168 possible combinations by using 3DES.
This algorithm is today used by many organizations with high security
demands, for instance banks and credit card companies. It is highly
secure and has been tested and attacked during many years, but has
never been cracked.
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