A company built its security system in the 1990s.
Back then, everything felt safe.
They used DES encryption to protect sensitive customer data.
For years, no issues.
Until one day…
A security researcher cracked it in less than 24 hours.
Not because of a supercomputer.
But because DES was no longer strong enough for modern attacks.
What is Encryption?
Encryption is the process of converting readable data (plaintext) into unreadable format (ciphertext) to protect it from unauthorized access.
What is DES?
DES (Data Encryption Standard):
- Developed in the 1970s
- Uses 56-bit key
- Now considered insecure
👉 Problem: Key size is too small for modern computing power
What is AES?
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard):
- Introduced in 2001
- Uses 128, 192, or 256-bit keys
- Currently industry standard
👉 Extremely hard to crack with current technology
Real-World Difference
Imagine:
- DES = a simple lock that can be picked quickly
- AES = a bank vault with multiple security layers
Attackers can break DES with brute force.
AES? Practically impossible.
Why DES Failed
- Weak key length
- Advances in computing power
- Vulnerability to brute-force attacks
Why AES Wins
- Strong encryption strength
- Efficient performance
- Global standard
