Understanding Blowfish Encryption Algorithm

Key Features, Encryption Process, Python Implementation, Examples and Advantages of Blowfish Algorithm | Karthikeyan Nagaraj

Introduction

Blowfish is a symmetric-key block cipher encryption algorithm designed by Bruce Schneier in 1993, and it has gained popularity for its efficient encryption and decryption process.

In this article, we will explore the key features, encryption process, python implementation, examples, and advantages of Blowfish.

Key Features of Blowfish

• Block Cipher: Blowfish is a block cipher encryption algorithm that operates on 64-bit blocks of plaintext at a time.
• Symmetric Key Encryption: Blowfish uses a symmetric key encryption system, meaning that the same key is used for both encryption and decryption.
• Variable Key Size: Blowfish allows for variable key sizes of up to 448 bits, making it more secure compared to other encryption algorithms.
• Feistel Cipher: Blowfish uses the Feistel Cipher structure, which splits the plaintext into two halves and then iteratively encrypts each half using a series of mathematical operations.