What Is AES Encryption? Principles & How It Works

Are you always staying alert to avoid being spied on or having your information leaked? If you have been looking for solutions, you will find that encryption is a good option. Among various encryption methods, AES encryption stands out as one of the most trusted and widely used standards for securing digital information. But what is AES encryption exactly? How does it work?  

Let’s break it down in a simple and engaging way.

What Is AES Encryption?

Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is one of the most secure encryption methods and one of the best VPN protocols used today. It was developed in the late 1990s as part of a U.S. government initiative to find a successor to the aging Data Encryption Standard (DES). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) held a global competition to find the best encryption algorithm, and the Rijndael cipher, designed by Belgian cryptographers Vincent Rijmen and Joan Daemen, was selected in 2001.

Since then, AES has become the gold standard for encrypting sensitive data. It is widely used in everything from online banking and government communications to securing your email and smartphone data.

How Does AES Encryption Work?

Encryption is the process of converting readable data (plaintext) into an unreadable format (ciphertext) using a specific algorithm and a secret key. The encrypted data can only be transformed back into its original form if the correct key is provided.

AES is a symmetric key encryption algorithm, meaning the same key is used for both encryption and decryption. This is different from asymmetric encryption, which uses a pair of public and private keys.

The Three Key Sizes of AES

AES offers different key lengths, which affect security and processing power:

1. AES-128: Uses a 128-bit key and goes through 10 rounds of encryption.
2. AES-192: Uses a 192-bit key and has 12 encryption rounds.
3. AES-256: The most secure option, using a 256-bit key and performing 14 rounds of encryption.

The more rounds, the harder it is for attackers to crack the encryption using brute force. That’s why AES-256 is preferred for maximum security, as it provides an incredibly high number of possible key combinations, making decryption virtually impossible without the key.

So, how does AES encryption actually work? The process involves several steps:

1. Key Expansion:

The encryption starts by expanding the original secret key into a set of round keys. These keys are used in each round of encryption to transform the data. The longer the key, the more rounds of encryption are applied.

2. Initial Round:

The plaintext is first combined with one of the expanded keys using an XOR operation. This is called the AddRoundKey step, which sets the foundation for the encryption process.

3. Multiple Rounds of Encryption:

Depending on the key size (AES-128, AES-192, or AES-256), a specific number of rounds take place:

• SubBytes: Each byte in the data block is replaced with a corresponding byte from a predefined substitution box (S-Box). This step increases security by making the encryption more resistant to attacks.
• ShiftRows: The rows of data are shifted, which helps in diffusion, making it harder for patterns to be recognized.
• MixColumns: A mathematical transformation is applied to spread the bytes across the block, making it even harder to decrypt without the key.
• AddRoundKey: The transformed data is combined with a round key (derived from the original key in step 1).

This cycle repeats 10, 12, or 14 times, depending on the chosen key length.

4. Final Round & Ciphertext Generation

In the last round, the MixColumns step is omitted, and the final ciphertext is produced. At this point, the original data has been completely transformed into an encrypted format. Even if intercepted, the ciphertext would be meaningless without the secret key to decrypt it.

Why Is AES Encryption Important?

So why does this all matter? The answer is simple: security. Without encryption, your personal data, like passwords, credit card details, and emails, can easily be stolen.

Strong Security

AES encryption is incredibly strong, particularly with 256-bit keys. It would take billions of years for even the most powerful computers to crack a well-implemented AES-256 encryption by brute force. That’s why government agencies, financial institutions, and cybersecurity companies trust AES to keep data secure.

Protection Against Hackers & Cyber Threats

Hackers are always looking for vulnerabilities. When you send data over an unsecured network, it can be intercepted. AES encryption ensures that even if someone does manage to intercept your data, they won’t be able to read it without the key.

Secure Online Transactions

Online banking, shopping, and any other transaction involving sensitive financial details rely on encryption. AES keeps this data safe from fraudsters who might try to steal your information.

Stronger Than Old Encryption Standards

Before AES, there was DES, which hackers could break within hours using modern computing power. In contrast, AES is virtually unbreakable with today’s technology. Even the U.S. government and military use AES to protect classified data.

Enhancing Your Online Security with a VPN

AES encryption is fantastic, but what if you want even more security, especially when using public Wi-Fi or accessing geo-restricted content? Using a VPN is a good idea.

A VPN like LightningX VPN uses AES-256 encryption to secure your internet traffic. This makes it nearly impossible for hackers, ISPs, or even governments to spy on your online activities. It also helps bypass geo-blocks, so you can access online content securely no matter where you are.

It has a large network of high-speed servers (2000+) spread across the globe. So, you can get the best performance while maintaining your privacy.

How a VPN Enhances Security:

• Data encryption: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, keeping your emails and sensitive information safe from hackers.
• Bypassing restrictions: Some countries block some apps or limit their features. A VPN helps you bypass these restrictions.
• Secure public Wi-Fi usage: When using public networks (cafés, airports, hotels), a VPN prevents hackers from intercepting your email credentials.

FAQ – What Is AES?

Q: Is AES free to use?

AES encryption is free to use. It is an open standard, meaning anyone can implement it without paying licensing fees. Many software applications, VPN services, and encryption tools use AES to secure data. However, while the AES algorithm itself is free, you may still need to pay for software, services, or tools that utilize AES encryption, such as a VPN subscription or file encryption software.

Q: Can AES encryption be cracked?

Cracking AES encryption is incredibly difficult and would require an enormous amount of computational power. For AES-128 and higher, even the most advanced computers and methods, like brute force attacks, would take an impractical amount of time (often hundreds of years) to break.

Q: Do I need special software to use AES?

No, AES encryption is built into many modern encryption tools, VPN services, and software libraries. You typically don’t need to manually implement AES unless you are developing your own encryption solutions. Most applications that use AES, like email services or file encryption tools, will handle it for you.

Final Thoughts

AES encryption ensures that your personal data remains secure, but when you combine it with a trusted VPN like LightningX VPN, you get an extra layer of privacy and security. Whether you need a new email for personal or professional use, following the steps in this guide will have you set up in no time.