NordPass uses the XChaCha20 encryption algorithm. It’s considered the future of encryption, with more and more tech giants from Silicon Valley implementing it in their services. Companies like Google and Cloudflare use XChaCha20 encryption to ensure fast and safe connections for their users.
What is XChaCha20 encryption?
The XChaCha20 algorithm is a way of encrypting and decrypting data. It supports two different lengths of keys, with the 256-bit encryption being the strongest. NordPass uses XChaCha20 to encrypt your password vault.
Most password managers and other security products have been built using AES-256 encryption, which is a recognized security standard. So why did NordPass choose to be different?
We want our product to be long-lasting and are looking at our customers' security in the long run. AES encryption is fast and secure, but it shows some early signs of potentially becoming crackable in the future. If this happens, most products will have to go back to older encryption algorithms. We want to avoid this and move forward, not backward. In technical terms, we chose XChaCha20 because:
It’s faster to implement than AES-256. It’s also around 3 times faster on platforms that lack AES hardware.
It’s simpler, meaning that technical and human errors are easier to avoid when implementing it.
It doesn’t need hardware support.
Mobile platforms are slowly but surely moving to XChaCha20, so in the near future it will be recognized on an even wider scale.
As a seasoned cybersecurity expert deeply entrenched in the intricacies of encryption algorithms, let me dive into the realm of NordPass and shed light on the sophisticated encryption measures it employs. My wealth of experience in the field positions me as a reliable source to elucidate the technical nuances underlying NordPass's choice of encryption algorithm.
NordPass, the brainchild of cybersecurity stalwart NordVPN, employs the cutting-edge XChaCha20 encryption algorithm. Now, the mention of XChaCha20 is not a mere casual nod to a trending encryption method; it represents a strategic move towards the future of encryption, a future that is gradually being embraced by tech giants in Silicon Valley.
To cement my credibility, consider the fact that industry titans such as Google and Cloudflare have already integrated XChaCha20 into their services. This is not a mere coincidence but a testament to the algorithm's prowess in providing both speed and security, two critical aspects in today's digitally dominated landscape.
Now, let's delve into the crux of the matter: What is XChaCha20 encryption? At its core, XChaCha20 is an algorithm designed for encrypting and decrypting data. Unlike its predecessor ChaCha20, XChaCha20 supports two key lengths, with the 256-bit encryption standing out as the pinnacle of strength and security. It is this very algorithm that NordPass relies on to safeguard your password vault.
The question naturally arises: Why did NordPass opt for XChaCha20 when the industry norm, including most password managers, gravitates towards the well-established AES-256 encryption? The answer lies in a forward-looking approach to security and a commitment to long-lasting protection for users.
While AES-256 is undeniably a recognized security standard, NordPass discerns early signs that it might face vulnerabilities in the future. In the pursuit of resilience against potential threats, NordPass chose to differentiate itself by embracing XChaCha20. Here's why:
Faster Implementation: XChaCha20 outpaces AES-256 in terms of implementation speed. Particularly on platforms lacking AES hardware, XChaCha20 shines by being approximately three times faster.
Simplicity: The algorithm's simplicity is a strategic advantage. Its straightforward design minimizes the likelihood of technical and human errors during implementation.
Hardware Independence: Unlike some encryption methods, XChaCha20 doesn't rely on specialized hardware support. This makes it versatile and ensures compatibility across various devices.
Anticipating the Future: Mobile platforms are gradually transitioning to XChaCha20. By adopting this algorithm, NordPass positions itself at the forefront of a technological shift that will soon gain even broader recognition.
In conclusion, NordPass's choice of the XChaCha20 encryption algorithm is not arbitrary; it's a calculated move based on a thorough understanding of encryption trends and a commitment to providing users with a robust and future-proof security solution. As we navigate the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, NordPass stands as a beacon of innovation, choosing progress over regression in safeguarding your digital credentials.
eXtended-nonce ChaCa20 (XChaCha20) is a variant of ChaCha20 that uses a 192-bit nonce instead of a 96-bit nonce. This makes picking a random nonce notably safer, as there's effectively no chance that it could be re-used. (“Bits” refers to the size or length of the cryptographic keys.
Generally speaking, ChaCha20 is faster than AES on platforms that do not have dedicated hardware support for AES, such as mobile devices or embedded systems. However, AES can outperform ChaCha20 on platforms that have AES-NI (AES New Instructions) or similar features, such as modern desktops or servers.
Compared to AES-GCM, implementations of ChaCha20-Poly1305 are less vulnerable to timing attacks. To be noted, when the SSH protocol uses ChaCha20-Poly1305 as underlying primitive, it is vulnerable to the Terrapin attack.
AES has never been cracked yet and it would take large amounts of computational power to crack this key. Governmental organizations and businesses trust the AES for securing sensitive information.
The main difference between AES-256 and XChaCha20 encryption is that AES-256 is a block cipher, whereas XChaCha20 is a stream cipher. Also, AES encryption has built up quite a reputation (hence why it's called the “advanced encryption standard”), while XChaCha20 is still fairly new.
Military grade encryption often refers to a specific encryption type, AES-256 (Advanced Encryption Standard). Currently, the U.S. government has named this algorithm the standard for encryption and most cybersecurity organizations today use this form of military grade encryption.
AES 256-bit encryption is the strongest and most robust encryption standard that is commercially available today. While it is theoretically true that AES 256-bit encryption is harder to crack than AES 128-bit encryption, AES 128-bit encryption has never been cracked.
AES encryption is a symmetric cryptography algorithm. This means that the encryption and decryption process uses the same key for both processes. AES has been the standard for symmetric encryption for the last few decades, and is still widely used today for its secure encryption capabilities.
In fact, the whole reason ChaCha20/Poly1305 was even added to the TLS profile in the first place is because Google originally added it to their own OpenSSL fork, BoringSSL, as well as Android, and it was later proposed for inclusion in the standard.
Chacha20 is a cipher stream. Its input includes a 256-bit key, a 32-bit counter, a 96-bit nonce and plain text. Its initial state is a 4*4 matrix of 32-bit words.
What is the Safest Type of Encryption? Most contemporary encryption algorithms, protocols, and technologies use AES 256-bit, which is among the safest and most secure encryption techniques after 128-bit and 192-bit encryption.
The AES made its first appearance in 2001 and is expected to remain strong and durable for at least a decade. But if the NSA has secretly built a computer that is considerably faster than machines in the unclassified arena, then the agency has a chance of breaking the AES in a much shorter time.
Q: Are there any backdoors in the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) that allow the National Security Agency (NSA) to access encrypted data? So as long as you implement it correctly in your hardware or software, (such as how Apple does it) then it is secure and has no back doors.
The National Security Agency (NSA) and many other U.S. government entities, including the military, use AES encryption for encrypted communications and secure data storage daily. Thus AES 256 is considered the best encryption available and often referred to as Military grade encryption.
Of the two, the AES-128 key schedule is actually more secure. The AES-256 key schedule has known weaknesses that might make it possible to perform related key attacks against the algorithm. A related key attack should never happen in real life.
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