Is 256-bit SSL Encryption any Safe?

In a short and quick answer? - Yes!

 256-bit SSL encryption is very safe and is considered one of the most secure encryption methods available for protecting sensitive data during transmission. 
But what does "256-bit encryption" actually mean and what kind of security does it provide? — is it safe?

What is Encryption?

Encryption is the process of converting plaintext data (readable information) into an unreadable format (ciphertext) using an algorithm and an encryption key. The purpose of encryption is to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access during transmission or storage. Only authorized parties with the correct decryption key can reverse the process and convert the ciphertext back into its original, readable form. It is widely used to secure data in various contexts, such as communications, online transactions, file storage, and more. It ensures confidentiality and prevents unauthorized access.

There are two main types of encryption:

1. Symmetric Encryption: The same key is used for both encryption and decryption. The key must be kept secret to ensure the data’s security.

2. Asymmetric Encryption: Uses a pair of keys — a public key (for encryption) and a private key (for decryption). The public key can be shared openly, but only the holder of the private key can decrypt the data.

256-bit SSL Encryption?

256-bit SSL encryption refers to the use of a 256-bit key to encrypt and secure data during transmission over a network using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) or its modern successor, TLS (Transport Layer Security). This ensures that the data exchanged between a client (such as a web browser) and a server (such as a website) is encrypted, making it extremely difficult for unauthorized parties to intercept or decode.

When we talk about 256-bit encryption strength, it refers to both the length of the encryption key used to secure the data and the level of security it provides against attacks. The larger the key size (e.g., 256 bits), the more difficult it is to crack using brute-force attacks, as the number of possible key combinations increases exponentially.

The Power of 256-Bit Encryption.

Imagine, there are 10,000 possible passcodes for a 4-digit phone passcode, ranging from 0000 to 9999, with each digit having 10 possible values (0–9).

10 x 10 x 10 x 10= 10^4 = 10,000

On average, you would need to try half of the possible passcodes before guessing the correct one. Given the relatively small number of combinations, it would take very little time for a computer to brute-force all possible passcodes.

However, when it comes to 256-bit keys, the situation is drastically different. A 256-bit encryption key means there are 2^256 possible combinations, which is an astronomically large number—roughly 1.16 x 10^77 possible keys.

That is:
115,792,089,237,316,195,423,570,985,008,687,907,853,269,984,665,640,564,039,457,584,007,913,129,639,936 possible combinations that you'd have to go through and start guessing one by one.

This number is so vast that even with the most powerful supercomputers, it would take an unimaginably long time to crack the key through brute force. This vast number of possibilities makes 256-bit encryption highly secure, as the sheer size of the key space renders it virtually unbreakable through brute force with current technology.

Estimating Time for a 256-bit Decryption.

Let's make a rough estimate assuming that today's modern computer can perform around 1 trillion (10^12) guesses per second (which is very optimistic for brute-forcing AES-256).

Now, let's calculate how long it would take to try all possible keys:

• Number of guesses per second: 10^12 guesses
• Total possible keys: 2^256 ≈ 1.16 × 10^77

Time required for brute-forcing:

Time = (Total Keys) / (Guesses per second) = (1.16 x 10^77 / (10^12) = 1.16 x 10^5 seconds

Now, let's convert that into more understandable units:

1 year = 31,536,000 seconds (approx.)

Time in years= 1.16 x 10^65 / 31,536,000 = approx 3.68 X 10^57 years

It would take approximately 3.68 × 10^57 years to brute-force a 256-bit key on an average computer. That's trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion years.

Breaking the Code.

As we saw earlier it's simply impossible with today's technology. Additionally, considering that SSL/TLS certificates typically have a lifespan of just one to two years — with Google pushing for a reduction from 825 to 397 days — many new certificates would be issued long before a hacker could ever crack the encryption. 🤓 —As a result, hackers typically abandon this approach and focus on finding vulnerabilities in other areas related to SSL certificates. Some of the most common vulnerabilities associated with SSL certificates include Heartbleed, BREACH, and BEAST. These weaknesses allow attackers to bypass the encryption strength of SSL certificates and potentially compromise the system, despite the robust security provided by the certificates themselves.

Also, keep in mind that the level of encryption provided by an SSL/TLS protocol depends on the capabilities of both the browser and the server, as well as how they are configured. In some cases, even though the protocol may advertise 256-bit encryption, it could effectively provide only 128-bit security. However, if both your server and the client’s browser are properly configured and capable of supporting 256-bit encryption, you can be confident that the data transmitted between them is as secure as possible.

Thanks for checking in, and we hope this was helpful!