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RC4 Encryption Algorithm

Last Updated : 26 Dec, 2024

RC4 is a stream cipher and variable-length key algorithm. This algorithm

encrypts one byte at a time (or larger units at a time). A key input is a
pseudorandom bit generator that produces a stream 8-bit number that is
unpredictable without knowledge of the input key, The output of the
generator is called key-stream, and is combined one byte at a time with the
plaintext stream cipher using X-OR operation.

Example:

RC4 Encryption
10011000 ? 01010000 = 11001000

RC4 Decryption
11001000 ? 01010000 = 10011000

Key-Generation Algorithm

A variable-length key from 1 to 256 bytes is used to initialize a 256-byte

state vector S, with elements S[0] to S[255]. For encryption and decryption, a
byte k is generated from S by selecting one of the 255 entries in a systematic
fashion, then the entries in S are permuted again.

Key-Scheduling Algorithm

Initialization:

The entries of S are set equal to the values from 0 to 255 in ascending order,
and a temporary vector T, is created. If the length of the key k is 256 bytes,
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 first k-len elements of T as copied from K, and then K is repeated as many
times as necessary to fill T. The idea is illustrated as follows:

Java

// Initialize S with values from 0 to 255

for
i = 0 to 255 do S[i] = i;
T[i] = K[i mod keylen];

We use T to produce the initial permutation of S. Starting with S[0] to

S[255], and for each S[i] algorithm swap it with another byte in S according
to a scheme dictated by T[i], but S will still contain values from 0 to 255 :

C++

int j = 0;
for (int i = 0; i <= 255; i++) {
j = (j + S[i] + T[i]) % 256;
swap(S[i], S[j]); // Swap S[i] and S[j]
}

Java

j = 0;
for
i = 0 to 255 do
{
j = (j + S[i] + T[i])mod 256;
Swap(S[i], S[j]);
}

Python

j = 0
for i in range(256):
j = (j + S[i] + T[i]) % 256
S[i], S[j] = S[j], S[i] # Swap S[i] and S[j]

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 C#

for (int i = 0; i < 256; i++) {

j = (j + S[i] + T[i]) % 256;
int temp = S[i];
S[i] = S[j];
S[j] = temp;
}

JavaScript

let j = 0;
for (let i = 0; i <= 255; i++) {
j = (j + S[i] + T[i]) % 256;
[S[i], S[j]] = [S[j], S[i]]; // Swap S[i] and S[j]
}

Pseudo Random Generation Algorithm (Stream Generation)

Once the vector S is initialized, the input key will not be used. In this step, for
each S[i] algorithm swap it with another byte in S according to a scheme
dictated by the current configuration of S. After reaching S[255] the process
continues, starting from S[0] again

Java

i, j = 0;
while (true) {
i = (i + 1) mod 256;
j = (j + S[i]) mod 256;
swap(S[i], S[j]);
t = (S[i] + S[j]) mod 256;
k = S[t];
}

Encrypt Using X-Or():

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 News: In September 2015, Microsoft announced the end of using RC4 in
Microsoft edge and internet explorer 11. This video gives a clear example of
RC4 algorithm.

Features of the RC4 Encryption Algorithm

1. Symmetric key algorithm: RC4 is a symmetric key encryption algorithm,
which means that the same key is used for encryption and decryption.
2. Stream cipher algorithm: RC4 is a stream cipher algorithm, which means
that it encrypts and decrypts data one byte at a time. It generates a key
stream of pseudorandom bits that are XORed with the plaintext to
produce the ciphertext.
3. Variable key size: RC4 supports variable key sizes, from 40 bits to 2048
bits, making it flexible for different security requirements.
4. Fast and efficient: RC4 is a fast and efficient encryption algorithm that is
suitable for low-power devices and applications that require high-speed
data transmission.
5. Widely used: RC4 has been widely used in various applications, including
wireless networks, secure sockets layer (SSL), virtual private networks
(VPN), and file encryption.
6. Vulnerabilities: RC4 has several vulnerabilities, including a bias in the
first few bytes of the keystream, which can be exploited to recover the
key. As a result, RC4 is no longer recommended for use in new
applications.

To better understand how RC4 works and its applications, the GATE CS and
IT – 2025 course offers a comprehensive guide to encryption algorithms,
including RC4, helping you master both the theoretical and practical aspects
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 Advantages
1. Fast and efficient: RC4 is a very fast and efficient encryption algorithm,
which makes it suitable for use in applications where speed and efficiency
are critical.
2. Simple to implement: RC4 is a relatively simple algorithm to implement,
which means that it can be easily implemented in software or hardware.
3. Variable key size: RC4 supports variable key sizes, which makes it flexible
and adaptable for different security requirements.
4. Widely used: RC4 has been widely used in various applications, including
wireless networks, secure sockets layer (SSL), virtual private networks
(VPN), and file encryption.

Disadvantages
1. Vulnerabilities: RC4 has several known vulnerabilities that make it
unsuitable for new applications. For example, there is a bias in the first
few bytes of the keystream, which can be exploited to recover the key.
2. Security weaknesses: RC4 has some inherent weaknesses in its design,
which make it less secure than other encryption algorithms, such as AES
or ChaCha20.
3. Limited key length: The maximum key length for RC4 is 2048 bits, which
may not be sufficient for some applications that require stronger
encryption.
4. Not recommended for new applications: Due to its vulnerabilities and
weaknesses, RC4 is no longer recommended for use in new applications.
Other more secure stream cipher algorithms, such as AES-CTR or
ChaCha20, should be used instead.

Conclusion
RC4 has been a fundamental encryption algorithm known for its simplicity
and high speed, making it an excellent choice for securing data in various
applications. Its easy implementation allowed widespread adoption in
protocols like SSL and WEP, enabling efficient and effective protection of
information across networks. The stream cipher design of RC4 provided
flexibility and performance benefits, facilitating real-time encryption without
significant computational overhead.

Frequently Asked Questions on RC4 Encryption

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 What is RC4 Encryption?

RC4 is a fast, lightweight encryption method developed by Ron Rivest

in 1987. It was widely used in secure web and wireless protocols like
SSL and WEP.

Is RC4 symmetric or asymmetric?

RC4 is a symmetric encryption method, meaning the same key is used

for both encryption and decryption.

Why is RC4 considered weak?

RC4 is vulnerable because its key-stream exhibits biases that attackers

can exploit to recover the key. Due to these weaknesses, RC4 is no
longer considered secure for modern applications

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