RC4 ( Rivest Cipher 4 )
Symmetric-Key Algorithms Symmetric-key algorithms use the same key to lock (encrypt) and unlock (decrypt) a message. Types of Symmetric-Key Algorithms: Stream Cipher: Changes the message into secret code one byte at a time . Block Cipher: Changes the message into secret code one block at a time (a block is a group of bytes). Block Cipher vs Stream Cipher Block Cipher: Encrypts a block of text at a time (usually 64 bits or more). Simple design and logic. Hard to reverse (decrypt) without the key. Slower than stream cipher. Example: AES. Stream Cipher: Encrypts one byte at a time (usually 8 bits). More complex design. Easier to reverse (decrypt) if weakly protected. Faster than block cipher. Famous example: Vernam Cipher . RC4 (Rivest Cipher 4) Created by Ron Rivest in 1987 for RSA Security . RC4 is a stream cipher , known for being fast and simple . It uses a variable key size (usually 64-bit or 128-bit )...