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DES vs AES: Key Differences Explained

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This article outlines the differences between DES (Data Encryption Standard) and AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), two prominent encryption algorithms used to secure communication between parties.

DES: The Data Encryption Standard

DES stands for Data Encryption Standard. It relies on a 56-bit key length for encryption. DES was initially adopted by the federal government before the emergence of AES.

AES: The Advanced Encryption Standard

AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard and offers selectable key lengths, specifically 128-bit, 192-bit, and 256-bit.

The general rule is: the longer the key, the more computationally intensive it is to crack the encryption. This is why AES is generally considered to be a more secure algorithm compared to DES.

For a deeper dive into the AES algorithm, refer to Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 197, dated Nov. 26, 2001.