how to save a password in an encyrption program

[LuckieM]

Hello,

Am making a simple encryption system, I've done most of the work but am having a problem in making a way of saving the encryption key such that it is compared to the decryption key before the decryption process is done.

Regards


LuckieM

[Rabbit]

You shouldn't be saving the encryption key. If you're using a symmetric key algorithm, the encryption and decryption key should be the same.

Why are you even creating your own algorithm? It would be more secure to use an existing algorithm.

[LuckieM]

Hello Rabbit,

Am creating my own algorithm as a school project. it's required for me go enter my next level of studies.

i was also doubting on the saving of the encryption key as it will make the system less secure. how do i do it so that the decryption key is compared to t he encryption key.

i value your response.

[Rabbit]

You don't. There's not really a need to unless you want to alert the user to whether or not they used the correct key.

If that is the case, you store a hash of the original key. When the user reenters the key for decryption, you compute the hash of the user input and compare it to the stored hash.

[LuckieM]

Thanx Rabbit.

i guess i really don't need to save the key as it will make the whole program unsecure.

[Rabbit]

Yes, never store the key. Store the hash if you want, but never the actual key.