About the AES Encrypt/Decrypt Tool
This tool allows you to perform AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) encryption and decryption on your text data directly in your browser. AES is a widely adopted symmetric block cipher, meaning the same key is used for both encrypting and decrypting information. We use the CBC (Cipher Block Chaining) mode of operation with PKCS7 padding for enhanced security over simpler modes.
You can choose between AES-128, AES-192, or AES-256 bit key strengths. Your provided "Secret Key" (passphrase) is used to derive the cryptographic key. For encryption, a random Initialization Vector (IV) is generated and displayed - you must save this IV along with your ciphertext to decrypt it later. For decryption, you must provide the ciphertext, the original secret key, and the IV that was used for encryption.
All operations are performed client-side using JavaScript (CryptoJS library); your data is never sent to our servers.
How to Use
- Enter Text/Ciphertext: Type or paste the text you want to encrypt, or the ciphertext (Base64 or Hex encoded) you want to decrypt.
- Secret Key: Enter a strong, memorable secret key or passphrase. This key will be used for both encryption and decryption.
- Operation: Select "Encrypt" or "Decrypt".
- AES Key Size: Choose 128-bit, 192-bit, or 256-bit. Longer keys are generally more secure.
- Data Format:
- For Encryption: This selects the output format of the ciphertext (Base64 or Hex).
- For Decryption: This tells the tool the format of the ciphertext you are inputting.
- Initialization Vector (IV):
- For Encryption: An IV is generated automatically and will be displayed with the result. Store this IV securely with your ciphertext.
- For Decryption: Enter the 16-byte (32 hexadecimal characters) IV that was generated during the encryption of your ciphertext.
- Click "Process". The result (encrypted ciphertext or decrypted plaintext) will appear in the "Result" area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AES?
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a symmetric block cipher standardized by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It is widely used worldwide to encrypt sensitive data and is considered very secure when implemented correctly with strong keys.
What is an Initialization Vector (IV) and why is it important?
An IV is a random or pseudo-random number that is used along with the key to encrypt data. For modes like CBC, using the same IV with the same key to encrypt identical blocks of plaintext will produce identical ciphertext blocks. A unique IV for each encryption operation ensures that even if you encrypt the same message multiple times with the same key, the ciphertext will look different each time, which is crucial for security. The IV does not need to be secret but must be unique for each encryption with a given key.
Which Key Size should I choose?
AES-128, AES-192, and AES-256 are all considered secure. AES-256 provides the highest theoretical security but might be slightly slower. AES-128 is often sufficient for most applications. The key for this tool is derived from your passphrase to match the selected bit length.
Is my data secure when using this online tool?
This tool performs all encryption and decryption operations directly in your web browser using JavaScript. Your input text, secret key, and IV are never sent to our server or any third party. However, always be mindful of general browser security and the environment you are using the tool in.
What happens if I lose my Secret Key or IV?
If you lose your secret key or the specific IV used for encryption, you will not be able to decrypt the ciphertext. There is no recovery mechanism. It is essential to store both your secret key and your IVs securely if you need to decrypt the data later.