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ozo,<br />
<br />
Thanks for your comment. &nbsp;This is very helpful.
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ozo,

Thanks for your comment.  This is very helpful.

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See also: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_cipher" rel="ugc">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_cipher</a>
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See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_cipher [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_cipher]

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Ozo and Tolomir,<br />
<br />
Thanks for your comments. &nbsp;You have definitely pointed me in the right direction. &nbsp;Thanks again.
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Ozo and Tolomir,

Thanks for your comments.  You have definitely pointed me in the right direction.  Thanks again.

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Hello Experts,<br />
<br />
I'm studying for the Security+ exam, specifically the difference between block and stream ciphers or symmetric encryption. &nbsp;I noticed that the only stream or bit-by-bit covered in my book is RC4. &nbsp;I did a little bit a research and I couldn't find any other encryption algorithm that uses stream cipher. &nbsp;This topic interests me very much and I'm just curious why it is that most symmetric algorithms are block vs. stream, besides speed. &nbsp;Thanks in advance for your comments.
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Hello Experts,

I'm studying for the Security+ exam, specifically the difference between block and stream ciphers or symmetric encryption.  I noticed that the only stream or bit-by-bit covered in my book is RC4.  I did a little bit a research and I couldn't find any other encryption algorithm that uses stream cipher.  This topic interests me very much and I'm just curious why it is that most symmetric algorithms are block vs. stream, besides speed.  Thanks in advance for your comments.

Block vs. Stream ciphers

Encryption is the process of encoding messages or information in such a way that only authorized parties can read it. In an encryption scheme, the intended communication information or message, referred to as plaintext, is encrypted using an encryption algorithm, generating ciphertext that can only be read if decrypted. For technical reasons, an encryption scheme usually uses a pseudo-random encryption key generated by an algorithm. An authorized recipient can easily decrypt the message with the key provided by the originator to recipients, but not to unauthorized interceptors.

Encryption

Security is the protection of information systems from theft or damage to the hardware, the software, and the information on them, as well as from disruption or misdirection of the services they provide. The main goal of security is protecting assets, and an asset is anything of value and worthy of protection.  Information Security is a discipline of protecting information assets from threats through safeguards to achieve the objectives of confidentiality, integrity, and availability or CIA for short. On the other hand, disclosure, alteration, and disruption (DAD) compromise the security objectives.