What is AES-256 and Why Do We Trust It?

You've probably seen the term "AES-256" or "military-grade encryption" used by security products, banks, and messaging apps. But what does it actually mean? Let's break down why this standard is the cornerstone of modern digital security and why we chose it for PixCrypt.

What is AES?

AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard. It's a symmetric encryption algorithm, meaning the same key is used to both encrypt (scramble ) and decrypt (unscramble) data. In 2001, it was adopted by the U.S. government to protect classified information, and it quickly became the de facto standard for commercial and private security worldwide.

What Does the "256" Mean?

The "256" refers to the length of the encryption key in bits. An AES-256 key has 2²⁵⁶ possible combinations. To put that number in perspective, it's a number with 78 digits. It's astronomically larger than the number of atoms in the known universe.

A brute-force attack, where a computer tries every possible key, is computationally infeasible against AES-256. Even with the world's most powerful supercomputers working together, it would take billions of years to crack a single key.

Why It's Perfect for PixCrypt

By using AES-256, we ensure that the security of your encrypted images relies on one thing and one thing only: the strength of your password. The algorithm itself is considered unbreakable. When this is combined with our client-side, zero-knowledge model, it creates a fortress of privacy around your data. Your security is in your hands, backed by the most trusted encryption standard on the planet.

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