Vadim Fedukovich wrote:
On Thu, Dec 04, 2003 at 02:28:16PM +0100, Bernhard Froehlich wrote:
Bart Matthaei wrote:
Hi,
i need to encrypt a file using AES, and I want to use some sort of private
key which encrypts and decrypts, with a passphrase.
I found documentation on how to generate RSA/DSA keys, but I can't find
documentation about AES keys.
Can anyone give me a hint on this?
As far as I know AES is a symmetrical Algorithm which does not use
Public Keys. So the password you give (or more probably a hash of the
password) will be the key for en- and decrypting the data.
Doing so would result in a one single fixed key for different messages
to encrypt. One should think twice before doing it this way.
A better solution may be to use PRNG output for AES key
for a typical combination of a fast symmetric cypher
together with some public keys.
I don't think public-key encryption is an option for Bart, or else he
sureley would use the functions to do public-key encryption... ;)
What for the AES is supposed to be use?
I can imagine situations where it is much simpler just to exchange a
passphrase using a "secure channel", like a telephone line (ok, not
really secure...) or a piece of scrap paper. Another use is to encrypt
things only YOU should be able to decrypt (like public keys on your disk
or USB-Drive)...
Regards,
Vadim
Ted
;)
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