How secure is Encryption?
The effectiveness (or level of security) for encryption is measured in terms of how long the key is the longer the key, the longer it would take for someone without the correct “decoder” to break the code. This is measured in bits (e.g., 40-bit encryption, the level of encryption used with many browsers, versus 128-bit encryption, the level of encryption required to use Citibank Online).128 bit-encrypted messages are over 309,485,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times harder to break than 40-bit messages.
Passwords within most programs (Word, Excel, Access etc.) can be broken by mere novices without any computing knowledge. Such password breaking tools are easily available on the Worldwide Web, for as little as $5.95, or sometimes even for free! On the other hand, a file that is encrypted with a strong encryption algorithm, for example Blowfish 128 bit that Cryptainer LE uses, is statistically impregnable against brute force attacks. It would take more than the age of universe for all the computers in existence to break this encrypted file!
The effectiveness (or level of security) for encryption is measured in terms of how long the key is — the longer the key, the longer it would take for someone without the correct “decoder” to break the code. This is measured in bits (e.g., 40-bit encryption, the level of encryption used with many ordinary browsers, versus 128-bit encryption, the level of encryption required to use Sedex.net). For a 40-bit key there are 1,099,511,627,776 possible different combinations. For a 128-bit key (currently the strongest available and the level of encryption that Sedex.net requires) there are 2128 possible different combinations. According to Netscape, 128-bit encryption is 309,485,009,821,345,068,724,781,056 times more powerful than 40-bit encryption. How can I tell when a web site is secure? You can tell if you are in a secure area two ways. First, check the web address that you have accessed. If you are in a secure area the address will appear as https://www. Notice the “s” in the address. T
SSL certificates from GeoTrust are the ultimate online security and trust solution delivering 128 to 256-bit encryption and the True Site trust mark providing third-party website identity validation. Sites secured with GeoTrust’s SSL certificates are utilizing the highest level of encryption or security possible. This means you can rest assured that communications (e.g. credit card numbers) between your browser and this site’s web servers are private and secure when the SSL session is activated. True Site is subject to the Relying Party Agreement. View our CPS for important information regarding this certificate. Please visit GeoTrust for more information about Internet trust services.
Passwords in most programs such as Excel or Access can be broken rather easily, even by people with very little computer knowledge. Tools for breaking passwords are readily available on the Internet. Conversely, a file that is encrypted with a strong encryption algorithm, such as AES (a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) approved encryption algorithm), which is used by File Fortress , is statistically impregnable against brute force attacks. It would require hundreds of computers more than a hundred years to break the encrypted file!
