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DES
The Data Encryption Standard, DES, is a private-key encryption method which uses the same secret key to encrypt and decrypt a message – a principle known as symmetric cryptography. The secret key is chosen randomly from over 70 quadrillion possible keys. The key length is 64 bits, but 8 bits are parity and give no security, so the effective key length is 56 bits.
DES has existed for many years, and many attempts have been made to break it - unsuccessfully. DES can only be broken with brute force, trying all possible keys. There is no proof that it is the best algorithm. However, most other algorithms have not been tested nearly as thoroughly, so they are less trusted.
An advanced version of DES, known as triple-DES or 3-DES, applies three such keys.
Related terms:
Encryption, Symmetric encryption, Triple-DES/3-DES, VPN Client
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