What is Blowfish encryption, and how does it work?
6 min read
Blowfish encryption is a symmetric-key block cipher usually used in file encryption, VPNs, and password hashing. It was introduced in 1993 and became a go-to encryption method because of its efficient encryption and decryption processes. However, Blowfish is slowly being replaced by newer, more secure algorithms such as AES. This article will look at the Blowfish encryption processes, main features, and safety.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
What is Blowfish encryption?
Blowfish is a symmetric encryption method, a 64-bit block cipher that uses a key up to 448 bits long. It was created by Bruce Schneier in 1993 as an alternative to the aging Data Encryption Standard (DES) and the International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA) encryption algorithms. Although Blowfish is known for its speed and simplicity, its usage has declined recently. It is being replaced by newer and more secure encryption methods such as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).
Main features of Blowfish
Here are some of the main features of the Blowfish algorithm:
- Block cipher. A block cipher in Blowfish encrypts data in 64-bit blocks.
- Symmetric key algorithm. The Blowfish algorithm uses the same symmetric encryption key to encrypt and decrypt data.
- Variable length key. Blowfish offers different key lengths, from 32 bits to 448 bits. The longer the key, the safer the data. However, longer keys usually require more processing time and resources.
- Feistel cipher. The Feistel cipher structure splits the plaintext into two halves and scrambles each half separately using a chain of mathematical operations.
How does Blowfish encryption work?
Blowfish is a symmetric key block cipher that uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt data. Compared to other cryptography methods, Blowfish is considered pretty simple, which contributes to its speed and efficiency. However, it has some potential vulnerabilities that cannot be overlooked when seeking maximum data security.
Here’s a broader explanation of the Blowfish encryption process:
- Key expansion. Blowfish begins with a secret key, which can be from 32 bits to 448 bits long. The encryption key is then prepared and stretched out using the P-array and S-boxes precomputation to generate a series of subkeys.
- Subkeys generation. The stretched-out key is divided into smaller parts: the 64-bit blocks are divided into two 32-bit chunks. These pieces are mixed with some predefined values to create a new set of subkeys.
- Data encryption. Here comes the main part. Those two 32-bit halves pass through 16 rounds of encryption. Each round involves a complex sequence of substitutions and transpositions (XOR operations, additions, and lookups in the S-boxes).
- Post-processing. After the 16 rounds, the scrambled pieces of 32-bits are rejoined to form 64-bit ciphertext blocks.
- Decryption. Decryption in Blowfish uses the same process as encryption but in reverse. So it all goes backward until the ciphertext is reversed into plaintext.
This Blowfish encryption process secures your data using your private key. The best thing about Blowfish is that it’s quite challenging to recover the data without the original key once it is encrypted. However, such technology, created in the 90s, is now slightly outdated and is being replaced by more sophisticated and safer encryption methods, such as AES or Blowfish’s successor, Twofish.
Advantages and disadvantages of Blowfish encryption
Besides being fast and efficient, the Blowfish encryption algorithm may not be as safe for your data encryption process as expected. So look at the main advantages and disadvantages of Blowfish yourself and consider the specific needs for your application.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Faster than previous encryption algorithms, such as DES and IDEA. | Less secure and efficient than modern encryption algorithms like AES. |
| Unpatented and free to use, making it accessible to anyone interested. | The initial setup process can be slow. |
| Fewer operations to complete compared to other encryption algorithms. | When handling larger quantities of data, the speed decreases significantly. |
| Generally fast, efficient, and secure. | Speed can be affected when changing keys. |
| Provides a variable encryption key size, making it more flexible compared to other encryption algorithms. | The small 32 and 64-bit size blocks make Blowfish more vulnerable to brute force attacks. |
| Compatible with various programming languages. | The key schedule takes a long time, which makes it unusable for some apps. |
| Supports secure user authentication for remote access. | Does not provide built-in authentication or data integrity checks. |
The Blowfish encryption algorithm, providing speed, flexibility, and simplicity, is a viable option for specific applications. However, the small block size, slow encryption key setup, and lack of built-in authentication make it less suitable for many modern applications. While Blowfish was groundbreaking in the 90s, it is essential to consider its limitations when considering an encryption algorithm. Modern algorithms like AES provide more robust encryption solutions than Blowfish.
Blowfish encryption examples
Wondering where you might bump into Blowfish? This speedy cipher is used in zipping up your data, safeguarding your passwords, and email messages. Blowfish has done a little bit of everything, so let’s look at some of this encryption method’s most popular use cases.
- Network protocols. The Blowfish algorithm has been used in network protocols like Secure Shell (SSH) and IPSec to secure internet communications.
- Password hashing. Some password managers use the bcrypt password hashing function based on Blowfish. While it is not as popular as AES and other modern encryption algorithms, password managers can use Blowfish for password encryption.
- File encryption. Certain file encryption software provides the option to use Blowfish for encryption to prevent unauthorized access.
- Disk encryption. Some disk encryption software uses Blowfish to safeguard your sensitive data from digital pirates and snoops.
- Embedded systems. Due to its simplicity and speed, Blowfish has been used in some embedded systems, such as devices with limited processing power.
- Email encryption. Blowfish has been used in some email encryption software to keep your messages under wraps.
For quite some time, Blowfish has been a digital hero. However, modern encryption methods are slowly pushing it out of the market. Although Blowfish does the job in data encryption, today’s cyberspace is rife with threats that require modern and advanced solutions.
Is Blowfish encryption safe to use?
Blowfish has been a trusty lock for your sensitive data for years. It’s speedy, efficient, and offers variable length encryption, which helps protect your digital assets from brute force attacks. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The 64-bit block size can be an obstacle when dealing with heaps of data. So leave these resource-intensive encryption jobs for more modern encryption solutions like AES, offering a block size of 128, 192, and 256 bits.
The Blowfish algorithm can still be the way to go for some tasks. But you might want to adopt AES when it comes to large chunks of data or top-tier security. As always, assessing your needs is the key to picking the right encryption algorithm.