Here’s a list of the 50 most popular cryptographic algorithms along with their primary features:
1. AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)
- Symmetric encryption algorithm
- Supports key sizes of 128, 192, and 256 bits
- Used in SSL/TLS, VPNs, disk encryption, etc.
2. RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman)
- Asymmetric encryption algorithm
- Based on factorization of large prime numbers
- Used for secure key exchange and digital signatures
3. ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography)
- Asymmetric encryption algorithm
- Provides strong security with smaller key sizes than RSA
- Used in blockchain, SSL/TLS, and secure messaging
4. Diffie-Hellman (DH)
- Key exchange algorithm for secure communication
- Used in TLS, VPNs, and PGP encryption
5. SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm)
- Cryptographic hashing algorithm
- Produces a 256-bit fixed-length hash
- Used in blockchain, password hashing, and digital signatures
6. SHA-3 (Keccak)
- More secure alternative to SHA-2
- Resistant to collision and length extension attacks
- Used in blockchain and digital signatures
7. MD5 (Message Digest Algorithm 5)
- Produces 128-bit hash
- Not secure for cryptographic purposes due to vulnerabilities
- Still used for checksums and non-critical integrity checks
8. HMAC (Hash-Based Message Authentication Code)
- Provides message integrity and authentication
- Used in API security, TLS, and authentication protocols
9. Blowfish
- Symmetric key encryption with a 64-bit block size
- Fast and efficient but replaced by AES in most applications
10. Twofish
- Successor to Blowfish with a 128-bit block size
- Used in file encryption and secure storage
11. ChaCha20
- Symmetric encryption algorithm optimized for speed
- Used in TLS, VPNs, and secure messaging (WireGuard, Signal)
12. Salsa20
- Predecessor of ChaCha20
- Fast and efficient stream cipher used in embedded devices
13. Poly1305
- Message authentication algorithm
- Used alongside ChaCha20 for authenticated encryption
14. DES (Data Encryption Standard)
- Symmetric encryption algorithm with 56-bit key
- Deprecated due to weak security but historically significant
15. Triple DES (3DES)
- Applies DES three times for increased security
- Used in older financial systems and legacy applications
16. Serpent
- One of the AES competition finalists
- Provides strong security with a 128-bit block size
17. Camellia
- Similar security level to AES
- Used in Japanese government cryptographic standards
18. RC4 (Rivest Cipher 4)
- Stream cipher used in WEP and TLS
- No longer recommended due to security flaws
19. RC5
- Symmetric encryption with variable-length keys
- Used in secure storage and network security
20. RC6
- Successor to RC5 and AES finalist
- Features improved encryption efficiency
21. Whirlpool
- Cryptographic hash function producing 512-bit hash
- Used for data integrity verification
22. Bcrypt
- Hashing algorithm with built-in salting and adaptive work factor
- Used for password hashing and secure authentication
23. Argon2
- Winner of the Password Hashing Competition (PHC)
- Highly secure against brute-force attacks
24. PBKDF2 (Password-Based Key Derivation Function 2)
- Used for key strengthening in password hashing
- Implemented in cryptographic protocols like WPA2
25. Scrypt
- Memory-intensive password hashing function
- Used in cryptocurrencies and authentication systems
26. Ed25519
- High-performance elliptic curve digital signature algorithm
- Used in SSH, TLS, and modern cryptographic libraries
27. ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm)
- Provides stronger security than RSA with smaller keys
- Used in SSL/TLS, Bitcoin, and authentication systems
28. X25519
- Efficient elliptic curve key exchange algorithm
- Used in TLS 1.3 and modern cryptographic libraries
29. SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm 1)
- Produces 160-bit hash
- No longer considered secure due to collision attacks
30. Blake2
- Faster alternative to SHA-3 with strong security
- Used in cryptographic applications and blockchain
31. Blake3
- Highly optimized parallel hash function
- Provides better speed and security than SHA-3
32. CMAC (Cipher-Based Message Authentication Code)
- Provides message authentication using block ciphers
- Used in wireless networks and digital signatures
33. GCM (Galois/Counter Mode)
- Secure encryption mode for AES
- Used in TLS, IPsec, and secure messaging
34. CBC (Cipher Block Chaining)
- Secure block cipher mode for encryption
- Used in older SSL/TLS implementations
35. ECB (Electronic Codebook)
- Insecure encryption mode that does not provide confidentiality
- Not recommended for modern cryptographic applications
36. CFB (Cipher Feedback Mode)
- Converts block ciphers into stream ciphers
- Used in secure communication protocols
37. OFB (Output Feedback Mode)
- Similar to CFB but resistant to error propagation
- Used in secure data transmission
38. PKCS#1 (Public Key Cryptography Standards)
- Defines RSA encryption and signature schemes
- Used in SSL/TLS and secure communications
39. PKCS#5
- Standard for password-based encryption
- Used in secure storage and key derivation
40. PKCS#7
- Defines cryptographic message syntax
- Used for email encryption (S/MIME)
41. PKCS#12
- Secure storage for private keys and certificates
- Used in TLS and enterprise security
42. TLS 1.3 Handshake Encryption
- Modern encryption protocol for web security
- Improves speed and privacy compared to TLS 1.2
43. Tor Encryption (Onion Routing)
- Multi-layer encryption for anonymous communication
- Used in Tor network for privacy protection
44. Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP)
- Allows verification without revealing private information
- Used in privacy-preserving blockchains (Zcash, zk-SNARKs)
45. Homomorphic Encryption
- Allows computations on encrypted data
- Used in secure cloud computing and AI applications
46. Lattice-Based Cryptography
- Post-quantum cryptography resistant to quantum attacks
- Used in next-generation encryption
47. SIDH (Supersingular Isogeny Diffie-Hellman)
- Post-quantum key exchange algorithm
- Alternative to ECC and RSA
48. Rainbow Signature Scheme
- Post-quantum cryptographic signature algorithm
- Designed for resistance against quantum computers
49. Falcon (Fast-Fourier Lattice-Based Compact Signatures)
- Secure against quantum attacks
- Used in post-quantum cryptographic research
50. FrodoKEM
- Post-quantum key encapsulation mechanism
- Based on lattice-based cryptography