Triple DES (3DES) Encryption
Securely encrypt or decrypt your data using the Triple Data Encryption Standard (3DES) algorithm.
Understanding Triple DES (3DES)
What is 3DES?
Triple DES (3DES) is a symmetric-key block cipher which applies the Data Encryption Standard (DES) cipher algorithm three times to each data block. It was designed to provide a relatively simple method of increasing the key size of DES to protect against brute-force attacks.
The Process
3DES uses a 'key bundle' which comprises three DES keys, K1, K2 and K3, each of 56 bits (excluding parity bits). The encryption algorithm is: Ciphertext = Ek3(Dk2(Ek1(plaintext))). That is, DES encrypt with K1, DES decrypt with K2, then DES encrypt with K3.
Usage: While 3DES is more secure than standard DES, it is significantly slower. Most modern applications have transitioned to AES for better security and performance.