关于RC系列密码算法

he RC algorithms are a set of symmetric-key encryption algorithms invented by Ron Rivest. The "RC" may stand for either Rivest's cipher or, more informally, Ron's code. Despite the similarity in their names, the algorithms are for the most part unrelated. There have been six RC algorithms so far:
RC1 was never published.
RC2 was a 64-bit block cipher developed in 1987.
RC3 was broken before ever being used.
RC4 is the world's most widely used stream cipher.
RC5 is a 32/64/128-bit block cipher developed in 1994.
RC6, a 128-bit block cipher based heavily on RC5, was an AES finalist developed in 1997.

 

 

Unlike many schemes, RC5 has a variable block size (32, 64 or 128 bits), key size (0 to 2040 bits) and number of rounds (0 to 255). The original suggested choice of parameters were a block size of 64 bits, a 128-bit key and 12 rounds.

 

In cryptography, RC4 (also known as ARC4 or ARCFOUR meaning Alleged RC4, see below) is the most widely used software stream cipher and is used in popular protocols such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) (to protect Internet traffic) and WEP (to secure wireless networks). While remarkable for its simplicity and speed in software, RC4 has weaknesses that argue against its use in new systems.[2] It is especially vulnerable when the beginning of the output keystream is not discarded, or nonrandom or related keys are used; some ways of using RC4 can lead to very insecure cryptosystems such as WEP.

 

RC2 is a 64-bit block cipher with a variable size key. Its 18 rounds are arranged as a source-heavy Feistel network, with 16 rounds of one type (MIXING) punctuated by two rounds of another type (MASHING). A MIXING round consists of four applications of the MIX transformation, as shown in the diagram.

RC2 is vulnerable to a related-key attack using 234 chosen plaintexts (Kelsey et al., 1997).