## Types of Encryption Studied in Security Research Encryption is used to protect data confidentiality by transforming readable information into an unreadable form that can only be reversed with the correct key. In security research, encryption is not studied as a single concept, but as a family of techniques with different goals, assumptions, and failure modes. Hashtopia approaches encryption from an **analytical and defensive perspective**, focusing on how encryption choices interact with human behavior, system design, and real-world threat models. --- ## Symmetric Encryption Symmetric encryption uses the **same secret key** to both encrypt and decrypt data. ### Common Examples - AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) - DES / 3DES (legacy) ### Research Focus - Key management and key reuse - Mode selection (CBC, GCM, ECB, etc.) - Performance vs. security tradeoffs - Misuse patterns (hardcoded keys, static IVs) ### Why It Matters Symmetric encryption is fast and widely deployed, but its security depends entirely on **key secrecy and correct usage**. Many real-world failures occur not because the algorithm is weak, but because keys are mishandled or reused. --- ## Asymmetric (Public-Key) Encryption Asymmetric encryption uses a **key pair**: - A public key for encryption - A private key for decryption ### Common Examples - RSA - Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) ### Research Focus - Key generation quality - Key size and algorithm choice - Certificate trust chains - Long-term cryptographic agility ### Why It Matters Asymmetric encryption underpins authentication, key exchange, and secure communications. Research often examines how theoretical strength can be undermined by poor randomness, outdated parameters, or compromised trust infrastructure. --- ## Hybrid Encryption Systems Most modern systems use **hybrid encryption**, combining symmetric and asymmetric techniques. ### Typical Pattern 1. Asymmetric encryption exchanges a session key 2. Symmetric encryption protects the data ### Research Focus - Protocol design - Downgrade attacks - Key lifecycle management - Backward compatibility risks ### Why It Matters Hybrid systems inherit the weaknesses of both components. Many high-profile vulnerabilities arise at the **protocol level**, not the algorithm level. --- ## Password-Based Encryption (PBE) Password-based encryption derives cryptographic keys directly from user-chosen passwords. ### Common Examples - PBKDF2 - scrypt - Argon2 ### Research Focus - Key derivation parameters - Resistance to offline guessing - Interaction with human password behavior - Migration from legacy schemes ### Why It Matters PBE systems sit at the intersection of cryptography and human behavior. Weak passwords, poor parameter choices, or outdated KDFs can nullify otherwise strong encryption. --- ## Full-Disk and Data-at-Rest Encryption These systems encrypt entire storage volumes or files. ### Common Examples - BitLocker - FileVault - LUKS ### Research Focus - Pre-boot authentication - Key escrow and recovery - Cold-boot and memory attacks - Trusted Platform Module (TPM) integration ### Why It Matters Disk encryption protects data when systems are powered off or stolen, but often relies on passwords, PINs, or hardware trust anchors that introduce additional attack surfaces. --- ## Transport-Layer Encryption Encryption used to protect data **in transit** between systems. ### Common Examples - TLS / HTTPS - SSH ### Research Focus - Protocol negotiation - Certificate validation - Legacy cipher suites - Man-in-the-middle risks ### Why It Matters Transport encryption failures often stem from misconfiguration or trust assumptions, not broken cryptography. --- ## What Hashtopia Emphasizes Hashtopia’s focus is not on breaking encryption, but on understanding: - Where encryption **relies on passwords** - Where encryption strength is undermined by **human choices** - How system design concentrates risk despite strong algorithms - How attackers bypass encryption indirectly through credential compromise Encryption is rarely the weakest link but **its integration with authentication and behavior usually is**. --- ## Relationship to Hashing and Password Analysis Encryption and hashing serve different purposes but frequently intersect: - Passwords are hashed, not encrypted - Encryption keys may be derived from passwords - Encrypted systems often fail after credential compromise - Strong encryption does not compensate for weak authentication Understanding encryption types helps contextualize why password analysis remains critical even in systems that appear “cryptographically secure.” [[Home]]