RDEScipher/DLL

• RDEScipher is a Win32 DLL implementation of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), a.k.a. Rijndael encryption algorithm.
• RDEScipher offers 128, 192 and 256-bit keylengths in the Advanced Encryption Std.
• Royalty-free - no run-time distribution charges.
• Supports all 4 primary modes of AES (ECB, CBC, CFB and OFB).
• Interface supports handling keys, IVs and I/O data as "Hex Strings" for convenience.
• Allows encryption/decryption of buffers in-place - reduces memory requirements.
• Supports all Windows® development environments incl. C/C++, Visual Basic, .NET, FoxPro, Delphi, etc.
• RDEScipher/DLL includes a type library for improved performance, type safety, and ease-of-use.
• High performance multithreaded DLL designed for server applications - supports simultaneous processing of multiple data streams.
• The distribution includes:
  • Visual C++ and Visual Basic source-code examples in ver. 6 and .NET; incl. a complete ASP component
  • A detailed Developer's Reference Manual

Can I use RDEScipher/DLL to build IIS/ASP/MTS components?

How do I obtain a license for RDEScipher/DLL?

View/download source code examples.

View RDEScipher/DLL functions.

The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) defines a symmetric or secret key encryption algorithm; specifically the Rijndael algorithm. RDEScipher is a Windows DLL designed and tested to meet the requirements of the AES - it is an implementation of the Rijndael algorithm. 

The AES is the product of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). AES was developed as a replacement for the aging DES (Data Encryption Standard) released in 1976, and the TDEA (Triple Data Encryption Algorithm) a.k.a. triple-DES.  The Rijndael algorithm was named as the AES algorithm at the conclusion of a nearly four (4) year selection process that began in 1997.  Ref: Overview of the AES Development Effort.  FIPS 197 was finally released in November, 2001. 

The original criteria for AES included: 1) "variable key size", 2) "more computationally efficient than triple-DES", and 3) "at least as secure as triple-DES". We can be sure that the first two criteria have been satisfied.  The Rijndael algorithm supports keylengths of 128, 192 and 256 bits, and it clearly requires fewer computational resources per unit of work than triple-DES.  NIST's thorough evaluation and selection process, and the scrutiny of the worldwide cryptographic community inspire confidence that Rijndael is, in fact, a very secure algorithm.  However, it may be some time before it can be stated with confidence that the third objective has been satisfied; the only reliable measure of cryptographic strength is the test of time, and AES is still quite young as compared to DES (and by extension, triple-DES).

DES (and triple-DES) is the most widely deployed cryptographic algorithm in the world. DES has also been adopted by a number of other standards bodies for a variety of security applications. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved DES as a private sector standard (ANSI X3.92) in 1981, and since that time it has been widely deployed in many secure commercial systems. It is therefore anticipated that migration from DES to AES will take some time.  Nevertheless, system requirements that specify AES have begun to appear - the migration is taking place.

RDEScipher provides developers an easy-to-use tool for adding AES encryption to their applications.  While differences in the DES and AES algorithms precluded development of RDEScipher as a "drop-in" replacement for TDEScipher, the APIs are very similar, and legacy applications may be upgraded with a minimum of effort.

Applications for RDEScipher include communications, banking, software distribution and copy protection, and electronic/Internet commerce; e.g. file or message privacy - data that must be stored on or transported between unsecured hosts may be protected from unauthorized viewing.

RDEScipher is available as a Windows DLL and supports all popular Windows® development environments including Visual Basic, VBA (Word, Excel, Access, etc.), C, C++, FoxPro, Power Builder and others - including the new .NET environment.