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String Encryption Help

I have had to create a simple string encryption program for coursework, I
have completed the task and now have to do a write up on how it could be
improved at a later date. If you could look through the code and point me in
the correct direction one would be very grateful.

Example Input : j1mb0jay
Example Output 1 :
rZHKZbYZWn/4UgL9mAjN2DUz7X/UpcpRxXM9SO1QkvkOe5nOPEKnZldpsB7uHUNZ
Example Output 2 :
8SFgIdt0K0GqOggOt5VUzRc+sVtgPPQJt5xen7WksC3SljaXC/H38pWpjZ37tHyY
Example Outout 3 :
an+RFZnhJpyv+UgdViO6SlZtPZ66DzZ1tGFifpq3QkHr9MX9O/JQkojuS2O0IYIG

As seen above I have used the time as a factor when creating the passwords,
so two users with the same password will not have the same hash stored in
the database.

public string JJEncryption(string password)
{
//Creates a random number generator.
Random random = new Random();
//Creates a random int.
double randomNo = random.NextDouble();
//Turns the double into a number that i can use.
double roundedRandomNo = randomNo * 100;

//Case the double into and int (loosing all decimal places)
int randomInt = (int)roundedRandomNo;

//Gets the current milli second.
int milli = DateTime.Now.Millisecond;

//Convert the milli second and the random int into a string and
add it to an empty string;
string ePassword = ConvertToBase64(milli.ToString()) + "-" +
ConvertToBase64(randomInt.ToString());

//Update the value of milli by adding the random number to it.
milli = milli + randomInt;

//Foreach character in the paratmeter string "password"
foreach (char c in password)
{
//Convert the letter into a number.
int i = Convert.ToInt32(c);
//Add the value of milli to the number representation of the
current letter.
i = i + milli;
//Add this as a string to the return string
ePassword = ePassword + "-" + i.ToString();
}
//Return the enrypted password.
ePassword = MD5Encrypt(ePassword, true);
return ePassword;
}

private string ConvertToBase64(string text)
{
try
{
byte[] enc = new byte[text.Length];
for (int i = 0; i < text.Length; i++)
{
enc[i] = System.Convert.ToByte(text[i]);
}

return System.Convert.ToBase64String(enc);
}
catch
{
}

return string.Empty;
}

//Helped from CodeProject.com
private string MD5Encrypt(string toEncrypt, bool useHashing)
{
byte[] keyArray;
byte[] toEncryptArray = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(toEncrypt);

// Get the key from config file
string key = ApplicationSettings.MeetySettings.Key;
//System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox.Show(key);
//If hashing use get hashcode regards to your key
if (useHashing)
{
MD5CryptoServiceProvider hashmd5 = new
MD5CryptoServiceProvider();
keyArray =
hashmd5.ComputeHash(UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key ));
//Always release the resources and flush data of the
Cryptographic service provide. Best Practice

hashmd5.Clear();
}
else
keyArray = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key);

TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider tdes = new
TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider();
//set the secret key for the tripleDES algorithm
tdes.Key = keyArray;
//mode of operation. there are other 4 modes. We choose
ECB(Electronic code Book)
tdes.Mode = CipherMode.ECB;
//padding mode(if any extra byte added)

tdes.Padding = PaddingMode.PKCS7;

ICryptoTransform cTransform = tdes.CreateEncryptor();
//transform the specified region of bytes array to resultArray
byte[] resultArray =
cTransform.TransformFinalBlock(toEncryptArray, 0, toEncryptArray.Length);
//Release resources held by TripleDes Encryptor
tdes.Clear();
//Return the encrypted data into unreadable string format
return Convert.ToBase64String(resultArray, 0,
resultArray.Length);
}

--
Regards JJ (UWA)

--
Regards JJ (UWA)

Apr 22 '07 #1
22 7580
j1mb0jay wrote:
I have had to create a simple string encryption program for coursework,
I have completed the task and now have to do a write up on how it could
be improved at a later date. If you could look through the code and
point me in the correct direction one would be very grateful.

Example Input : j1mb0jay
Example Output 1 :
rZHKZbYZWn/4UgL9mAjN2DUz7X/UpcpRxXM9SO1QkvkOe5nOPEKnZldpsB7uHUNZ
Example Output 2 :
8SFgIdt0K0GqOggOt5VUzRc+sVtgPPQJt5xen7WksC3SljaXC/H38pWpjZ37tHyY
Example Outout 3 :
an+RFZnhJpyv+UgdViO6SlZtPZ66DzZ1tGFifpq3QkHr9MX9O/JQkojuS2O0IYIG

As seen above I have used the time as a factor when creating the
passwords, so two users with the same password will not have the same
hash stored in the database.
Some reflections:

:: Use a StringBuilder when concatenating the string. Your solution
scales very badly.

:: Hashing is not encryption. MD5Encrypt is a misleading name, as MD5 is
a hashing algorithm and doesn't do any encryption at all.

:: If the task was to actually create encryption, you have not completed
it. As you are using a hash, the string can not be decrypted into the
original string.

--
Göran Andersson
_____
http://www.guffa.com
Apr 22 '07 #2
Göran Andersson wrote:
j1mb0jay wrote:
>I have had to create a simple string encryption program for
coursework, I have completed the task and now have to do a write up
on how it could be improved at a later date. If you could look
through the code and point me in the correct direction one would be
very grateful. Example Input : j1mb0jay
Example Output 1 :
rZHKZbYZWn/4UgL9mAjN2DUz7X/UpcpRxXM9SO1QkvkOe5nOPEKnZldpsB7uHUNZ
Example Output 2 :
8SFgIdt0K0GqOggOt5VUzRc+sVtgPPQJt5xen7WksC3Slja XC/H38pWpjZ37tHyY
Example Outout 3 :
an+RFZnhJpyv+UgdViO6SlZtPZ66DzZ1tGFifpq3QkHr9MX 9O/JQkojuS2O0IYIG

As seen above I have used the time as a factor when creating the
passwords, so two users with the same password will not have the same
hash stored in the database.

Some reflections:
>>Use a StringBuilder when concatenating the string. Your solution
scales very badly.
>>Hashing is not encryption. MD5Encrypt is a misleading name, as MD5
is
a hashing algorithm and doesn't do any encryption at all.
>>If the task was to actually create encryption, you have not
completed
it. As you are using a hash, the string can not be decrypted into the
original string.
I have the methods to turn it back into the orignal and i use them on my
applications.
Does this mean i am encrypting ?

Thank you for the reply.
--
Regards JJ (UWA)

Apr 22 '07 #3
Hi... It looks a bit overly complex to me but I'll assume it is doing what
you intend. I'd make the suggestion that you simplify the process where
possible however. From the look of it many of the interim values aren't
really used anywhere (though I may have missed it) so you can probably get
your random integer var set this way.
Random random = new Random();
int randomInt = (int) ( random.NextDouble() * 100 );
And the various additions and concatenations can use the += operator so
these:
milli = milli + randomInt;
i = i + milli;
ePassword = ePassword + "-" + i.ToString();
become:
milli += randomInt;
i += milli;
ePassword += ( "-" + i.ToString() );
As Göran points out you may want to use a StringBuilder as well.

I guess if I had a question it would be is there slightly less complicated
way to get the non-matching hash if that is your goal? Do you consider it
more secure by virtue of the particular algorithm used to adjust it?
"j1mb0jay" <ja**@aber.ac.ukwrote in message
news:11***************@leri.aber.ac.uk...
>I have had to create a simple string encryption program for coursework, I
have completed the task and now have to do a write up on how it could be
improved at a later date. If you could look through the code and point me
in the correct direction one would be very grateful.

Example Input : j1mb0jay
Example Output 1 :
rZHKZbYZWn/4UgL9mAjN2DUz7X/UpcpRxXM9SO1QkvkOe5nOPEKnZldpsB7uHUNZ
Example Output 2 :
8SFgIdt0K0GqOggOt5VUzRc+sVtgPPQJt5xen7WksC3SljaXC/H38pWpjZ37tHyY
Example Outout 3 :
an+RFZnhJpyv+UgdViO6SlZtPZ66DzZ1tGFifpq3QkHr9MX9O/JQkojuS2O0IYIG

As seen above I have used the time as a factor when creating the
passwords, so two users with the same password will not have the same hash
stored in the database.

public string JJEncryption(string password)
{
//Creates a random number generator.
Random random = new Random();
//Creates a random int.
double randomNo = random.NextDouble();
//Turns the double into a number that i can use.
double roundedRandomNo = randomNo * 100;

//Case the double into and int (loosing all decimal places)
int randomInt = (int)roundedRandomNo;

//Gets the current milli second.
int milli = DateTime.Now.Millisecond;

//Convert the milli second and the random int into a string and
add it to an empty string;
string ePassword = ConvertToBase64(milli.ToString()) + "-" +
ConvertToBase64(randomInt.ToString());

//Update the value of milli by adding the random number to it.
milli = milli + randomInt;

//Foreach character in the paratmeter string "password"
foreach (char c in password)
{
//Convert the letter into a number.
int i = Convert.ToInt32(c);
//Add the value of milli to the number representation of
the current letter.
i = i + milli;
//Add this as a string to the return string
ePassword = ePassword + "-" + i.ToString();
}
//Return the enrypted password.
ePassword = MD5Encrypt(ePassword, true);
return ePassword;
}

private string ConvertToBase64(string text)
{
try
{
byte[] enc = new byte[text.Length];
for (int i = 0; i < text.Length; i++)
{
enc[i] = System.Convert.ToByte(text[i]);
}

return System.Convert.ToBase64String(enc);
}
catch
{
}

return string.Empty;
}

//Helped from CodeProject.com
private string MD5Encrypt(string toEncrypt, bool useHashing)
{
byte[] keyArray;
byte[] toEncryptArray = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(toEncrypt);

// Get the key from config file
string key = ApplicationSettings.MeetySettings.Key;
//System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox.Show(key);
//If hashing use get hashcode regards to your key
if (useHashing)
{
MD5CryptoServiceProvider hashmd5 = new
MD5CryptoServiceProvider();
keyArray =
hashmd5.ComputeHash(UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key ));
//Always release the resources and flush data of the
Cryptographic service provide. Best Practice

hashmd5.Clear();
}
else
keyArray = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key);

TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider tdes = new
TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider();
//set the secret key for the tripleDES algorithm
tdes.Key = keyArray;
//mode of operation. there are other 4 modes. We choose
ECB(Electronic code Book)
tdes.Mode = CipherMode.ECB;
//padding mode(if any extra byte added)

tdes.Padding = PaddingMode.PKCS7;

ICryptoTransform cTransform = tdes.CreateEncryptor();
//transform the specified region of bytes array to resultArray
byte[] resultArray =
cTransform.TransformFinalBlock(toEncryptArray, 0, toEncryptArray.Length);
//Release resources held by TripleDes Encryptor
tdes.Clear();
//Return the encrypted data into unreadable string format
return Convert.ToBase64String(resultArray, 0,
resultArray.Length);
}

--
Regards JJ (UWA)

--
Regards JJ (UWA)

Apr 22 '07 #4
Tom Leylan wrote:
Hi... It looks a bit overly complex to me but I'll assume it is doing
what you intend. I'd make the suggestion that you simplify the
process where possible however. From the look of it many of the
interim values aren't really used anywhere (though I may have missed
it) so you can probably get your random integer var set this way.
> Random random = new Random();
int randomInt = (int) ( random.NextDouble() * 100 );

And the various additions and concatenations can use the += operator
so these:
> milli = milli + randomInt;
i = i + milli;
ePassword = ePassword + "-" + i.ToString();

become:
> milli += randomInt;
i += milli;
ePassword += ( "-" + i.ToString() );

As Göran points out you may want to use a StringBuilder as well.

I guess if I had a question it would be is there slightly less
complicated way to get the non-matching hash if that is your goal? Do you
consider it more secure by virtue of the particular algorithm
used to adjust it?
I do understand the code could do with a good tidy up, thank you for the
methods of doing this. I hope when I shorten the methods and use more
correct
coding constructs it will become less complex to read.

We had to write a simple encryption method and decryption method for the
coursework, I just wanted to try and use MD5 and base64 to turn the output
of the encryption into something a little less readable. Was I incorrect in
doing this ?
I thought it would be for the greater good of the encryption !

Apr 22 '07 #5
On Sun, 22 Apr 2007 13:54:55 +0100, "j1mb0jay" <ja**@aber.ac.uk>
wrote:
>I have had to create a simple string encryption program for coursework, I
have completed the task and now have to do a write up on how it could be
improved at a later date. If you could look through the code and point me in
the correct direction one would be very grateful.

Example Input : j1mb0jay
Example Output 1 :
rZHKZbYZWn/4UgL9mAjN2DUz7X/UpcpRxXM9SO1QkvkOe5nOPEKnZldpsB7uHUNZ
Example Output 2 :
8SFgIdt0K0GqOggOt5VUzRc+sVtgPPQJt5xen7WksC3Slja XC/H38pWpjZ37tHyY
Example Outout 3 :
an+RFZnhJpyv+UgdViO6SlZtPZ66DzZ1tGFifpq3QkHr9MX 9O/JQkojuS2O0IYIG

As seen above I have used the time as a factor when creating the passwords,
so two users with the same password will not have the same hash stored in
the database.

public string JJEncryption(string password)
{
//Creates a random number generator.
Random random = new Random();
Random is not cryptographically secure. For a cryptographically
secure PRNG use System.Security.Cryptography.RandomNumberGenerator
Alternatively, write your own - google 'Yarrow' or 'Fortuna' for
examples.

//Creates a random int.
double randomNo = random.NextDouble();
//Turns the double into a number that i can use.
double roundedRandomNo = randomNo * 100;

//Case the double into and int (loosing all decimal places)
int randomInt = (int)roundedRandomNo;

//Gets the current milli second.
int milli = DateTime.Now.Millisecond;

//Convert the milli second and the random int into a string and
add it to an empty string;
string ePassword = ConvertToBase64(milli.ToString()) + "-" +
ConvertToBase64(randomInt.ToString());

//Update the value of milli by adding the random number to it.
milli = milli + randomInt;

//Foreach character in the paratmeter string "password"
foreach (char c in password)
{
//Convert the letter into a number.
int i = Convert.ToInt32(c);
//Add the value of milli to the number representation of the
current letter.
i = i + milli;
//Add this as a string to the return string
ePassword = ePassword + "-" + i.ToString();
}
//Return the enrypted password.
ePassword = MD5Encrypt(ePassword, true);
return ePassword;
Have a look at using System.Security.SecureString instead of a plain
string for holding a password.
}

private string ConvertToBase64(string text)
{
try
{
byte[] enc = new byte[text.Length];
for (int i = 0; i < text.Length; i++)
{
enc[i] = System.Convert.ToByte(text[i]);
}

return System.Convert.ToBase64String(enc);
}
catch
{
}

return string.Empty;
}
You can use Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes to convert a string to bytes.

>
//Helped from CodeProject.com
private string MD5Encrypt(string toEncrypt, bool useHashing)
{
byte[] keyArray;
byte[] toEncryptArray = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(toEncrypt);

// Get the key from config file
string key = ApplicationSettings.MeetySettings.Key;
//System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox.Show(key);
//If hashing use get hashcode regards to your key
if (useHashing)
{
MD5CryptoServiceProvider hashmd5 = new
MD5 should not be used in new applicatins as it has some weaknesses.
Better to use SHA-256 or SHA-512.
>MD5CryptoServiceProvider();
keyArray =
hashmd5.ComputeHash(UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(ke y));
//Always release the resources and flush data of the
Cryptographic service provide. Best Practice

hashmd5.Clear();
}
else
keyArray = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key);

TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider tdes = new
TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider();
3DES should not be used except for backwards compatibility - its 64
bit blocksize is too small for safety. Use AES (=Rijndael) instead as
it uses 128 bit blocks.
//set the secret key for the tripleDES algorithm
tdes.Key = keyArray;
//mode of operation. there are other 4 modes. We choose
ECB(Electronic code Book)
tdes.Mode = CipherMode.ECB;
A bad choice. ECB mode leaks information. For a good illustration
(literally) see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_c...s_of_operation

You should use either CBC or CTR mode.
//padding mode(if any extra byte added)

tdes.Padding = PaddingMode.PKCS7;

ICryptoTransform cTransform = tdes.CreateEncryptor();
//transform the specified region of bytes array to resultArray
byte[] resultArray =
cTransform.TransformFinalBlock(toEncryptArray, 0, toEncryptArray.Length);
//Release resources held by TripleDes Encryptor
tdes.Clear();
//Return the encrypted data into unreadable string format
return Convert.ToBase64String(resultArray, 0,
resultArray.Length);
}

--
Regards JJ (UWA)
Apr 22 '07 #6
rossum wrote:
On Sun, 22 Apr 2007 13:54:55 +0100, "j1mb0jay" <ja**@aber.ac.uk>
wrote:
>I have had to create a simple string encryption program for
coursework, I have completed the task and now have to do a write up
on how it could be improved at a later date. If you could look
through the code and point me in the correct direction one would be
very grateful.

Example Input : j1mb0jay
Example Output 1 :
rZHKZbYZWn/4UgL9mAjN2DUz7X/UpcpRxXM9SO1QkvkOe5nOPEKnZldpsB7uHUNZ
Example Output 2 :
8SFgIdt0K0GqOggOt5VUzRc+sVtgPPQJt5xen7WksC3Slja XC/H38pWpjZ37tHyY
Example Outout 3 :
an+RFZnhJpyv+UgdViO6SlZtPZ66DzZ1tGFifpq3QkHr9MX 9O/JQkojuS2O0IYIG

As seen above I have used the time as a factor when creating the
passwords, so two users with the same password will not have the
same hash stored in the database.

public string JJEncryption(string password)
{
//Creates a random number generator.
Random random = new Random();
Random is not cryptographically secure. For a cryptographically
secure PRNG use System.Security.Cryptography.RandomNumberGenerator
Alternatively, write your own - google 'Yarrow' or 'Fortuna' for
examples.

> //Creates a random int.
double randomNo = random.NextDouble();
//Turns the double into a number that i can use.
double roundedRandomNo = randomNo * 100;

//Case the double into and int (loosing all decimal
places) int randomInt = (int)roundedRandomNo;

//Gets the current milli second.
int milli = DateTime.Now.Millisecond;

//Convert the milli second and the random int into a
string and add it to an empty string;
string ePassword = ConvertToBase64(milli.ToString()) +
"-" + ConvertToBase64(randomInt.ToString());

//Update the value of milli by adding the random number
to it. milli = milli + randomInt;

//Foreach character in the paratmeter string "password"
foreach (char c in password)
{
//Convert the letter into a number.
int i = Convert.ToInt32(c);
//Add the value of milli to the number representation
of the current letter.
i = i + milli;
//Add this as a string to the return string
ePassword = ePassword + "-" + i.ToString();
}
//Return the enrypted password.
ePassword = MD5Encrypt(ePassword, true);
return ePassword;
Have a look at using System.Security.SecureString instead of a plain
string for holding a password.
> }

private string ConvertToBase64(string text)
{
try
{
byte[] enc = new byte[text.Length];
for (int i = 0; i < text.Length; i++)
{
enc[i] = System.Convert.ToByte(text[i]);
}

return System.Convert.ToBase64String(enc);
}
catch
{
}

return string.Empty;
}
You can use Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes to convert a string to bytes.

>>
//Helped from CodeProject.com
private string MD5Encrypt(string toEncrypt, bool useHashing)
{
byte[] keyArray;
byte[] toEncryptArray =
UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(toEncrypt);

// Get the key from config file
string key = ApplicationSettings.MeetySettings.Key;
//System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox.Show(key);
//If hashing use get hashcode regards to your key
if (useHashing)
{
MD5CryptoServiceProvider hashmd5 = new
MD5 should not be used in new applicatins as it has some weaknesses.
Better to use SHA-256 or SHA-512.
>MD5CryptoServiceProvider();
keyArray =
hashmd5.ComputeHash(UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(ke y));
//Always release the resources and flush data of the
Cryptographic service provide. Best Practice

hashmd5.Clear();
}
else
keyArray = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key);

TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider tdes = new
TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider();
3DES should not be used except for backwards compatibility - its 64
bit blocksize is too small for safety. Use AES (=Rijndael) instead as
it uses 128 bit blocks.
> //set the secret key for the tripleDES algorithm
tdes.Key = keyArray;
//mode of operation. there are other 4 modes. We choose
ECB(Electronic code Book)
tdes.Mode = CipherMode.ECB;
A bad choice. ECB mode leaks information. For a good illustration
(literally) see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block_c...s_of_operation

You should use either CBC or CTR mode.
> //padding mode(if any extra byte added)

tdes.Padding = PaddingMode.PKCS7;

ICryptoTransform cTransform = tdes.CreateEncryptor();
//transform the specified region of bytes array to
resultArray byte[] resultArray =
cTransform.TransformFinalBlock(toEncryptArray, 0,
toEncryptArray.Length); //Release resources held by
TripleDes Encryptor tdes.Clear();
//Return the encrypted data into unreadable string format
return Convert.ToBase64String(resultArray, 0,
resultArray.Length);
}

--
Regards JJ (UWA)
I will post back later with the changes you sugested. Thank you.

--
Regards JJ (UWA)
Apr 22 '07 #7
On Sun, 22 Apr 2007 15:16:37 +0100, "j1mb0jay" <ja**@aber.ac.uk>
wrote:
>Göran Andersson wrote:
>j1mb0jay wrote:
>>I have had to create a simple string encryption program for
coursework, I have completed the task and now have to do a write up
on how it could be improved at a later date. If you could look
through the code and point me in the correct direction one would be
very grateful. Example Input : j1mb0jay
Example Output 1 :
rZHKZbYZWn/4UgL9mAjN2DUz7X/UpcpRxXM9SO1QkvkOe5nOPEKnZldpsB7uHUNZ
Example Output 2 :
8SFgIdt0K0GqOggOt5VUzRc+sVtgPPQJt5xen7WksC3SljaX C/H38pWpjZ37tHyY
Example Outout 3 :
an+RFZnhJpyv+UgdViO6SlZtPZ66DzZ1tGFifpq3QkHr9MX9 O/JQkojuS2O0IYIG

As seen above I have used the time as a factor when creating the
passwords, so two users with the same password will not have the same
hash stored in the database.

Some reflections:
>>>Use a StringBuilder when concatenating the string. Your solution
scales very badly.
>>>Hashing is not encryption. MD5Encrypt is a misleading name, as MD5
is
a hashing algorithm and doesn't do any encryption at all.
>>>If the task was to actually create encryption, you have not
completed
it. As you are using a hash, the string can not be decrypted into the
original string.

I have the methods to turn it back into the orignal and i use them on my
applications.
Does this mean i am encrypting ?
You are using MD5 to generate a key from the user password using the
time as salt. The actual encryption uses 3DES.

rossum
>Thank you for the reply.
Apr 22 '07 #8
j1mb0jay wrote:
Göran Andersson wrote:
>j1mb0jay wrote:
>>I have had to create a simple string encryption program for
coursework, I have completed the task and now have to do a write up
on how it could be improved at a later date. If you could look
through the code and point me in the correct direction one would be
very grateful. Example Input : j1mb0jay
Example Output 1 :
rZHKZbYZWn/4UgL9mAjN2DUz7X/UpcpRxXM9SO1QkvkOe5nOPEKnZldpsB7uHUNZ
Example Output 2 :
8SFgIdt0K0GqOggOt5VUzRc+sVtgPPQJt5xen7WksC3SljaX C/H38pWpjZ37tHyY
Example Outout 3 :
an+RFZnhJpyv+UgdViO6SlZtPZ66DzZ1tGFifpq3QkHr9MX9 O/JQkojuS2O0IYIG

As seen above I have used the time as a factor when creating the
passwords, so two users with the same password will not have the same
hash stored in the database.

Some reflections:
>>>Use a StringBuilder when concatenating the string. Your solution
scales very badly.
>>>Hashing is not encryption. MD5Encrypt is a misleading name, as MD5
is
a hashing algorithm and doesn't do any encryption at all.
>>>If the task was to actually create encryption, you have not
completed
it. As you are using a hash, the string can not be decrypted into the
original string.

I have the methods to turn it back into the orignal and i use them on my
applications.
No, you don't. You can not recreate the original from it's hash code.
Does this mean i am encrypting ?

Thank you for the reply.

--
Göran Andersson
_____
http://www.guffa.com
Apr 22 '07 #9
Göran Andersson wrote:
:: Hashing is not encryption. MD5Encrypt is a misleading name, as MD5 is
a hashing algorithm and doesn't do any encryption at all.
Some people call hashing "one way encryption".

Arne
Apr 23 '07 #10
Arne Vajhřj wrote:
Göran Andersson wrote:
>:: Hashing is not encryption. MD5Encrypt is a misleading name, as MD5
is a hashing algorithm and doesn't do any encryption at all.

Some people call hashing "one way encryption".

Arne
Yes. To be strictly correct one would say that hashing can be used as a
one way encryption. The hashing algorithm still does hashing, not
encryption. The difference is subtle, but one should be aware that
hashing serves a different purpose than encryption, so not all hashing
algorthms are well suited for one way encryption.

--
Göran Andersson
_____
http://www.guffa.com
Apr 23 '07 #11
Ok just for you...... since im not planning on using it any where other than
coursework, heres the code to decrypt, try them !!

I assure you they work.
public string JJDycryption(string ePassword)
{

string nonB64password = MD5Decrypt(ePassword,true);

char[] splitter = { '-' };

string[] s = nonB64password.Split(splitter);

int milli = Convert.ToInt32(ConvertFromBase64(s[0]));

int ramdom = Convert.ToInt32(ConvertFromBase64(s[1]));

milli = milli + ramdom;

string password = string.Empty;

for (int index = 2; index < s.Length; index++)

{

int i = Convert.ToInt32(s[index]);

i = i - milli;

char c = Convert.ToChar(i);

password = password + c.ToString();

}

return password;

}

private string MD5Decrypt(string cipherString, bool useHashing)
{
byte[] keyArray;
//get the byte code of the string

byte[] toEncryptArray = Convert.FromBase64String(cipherString);

System.Configuration.AppSettingsReader settingsReader = new
AppSettingsReader();
//Get your key from config file to open the lock!
string key = ApplicationSettings.MeetySettings.Key;

if (useHashing)
{
//if hashing was used get the hash code with regards to your
key
MD5CryptoServiceProvider hashmd5 = new
MD5CryptoServiceProvider();
keyArray =
hashmd5.ComputeHash(UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key ));
//release any resource held by the MD5CryptoServiceProvider

hashmd5.Clear();
}
else
{
//if hashing was not implemented get the byte code of the
key
keyArray = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key);
}

TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider tdes = new
TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider();
//set the secret key for the tripleDES algorithm
tdes.Key = keyArray;
//mode of operation. there are other 4 modes. We choose
ECB(Electronic code Book)

tdes.Mode = CipherMode.ECB;
//padding mode(if any extra byte added)
tdes.Padding = PaddingMode.PKCS7;

ICryptoTransform cTransform = tdes.CreateDecryptor();
byte[] resultArray =
cTransform.TransformFinalBlock(toEncryptArray, 0, toEncryptArray.Length);
//Release resources held by TripleDes Encryptor
tdes.Clear();
//return the Clear decrypted TEXT
return UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetString(resultArray);
}

private string ConvertFromBase64(string text)
{
string ret = string.Empty;
byte[] enc = System.Convert.FromBase64String(text);
for (int i = 0; i < enc.Length; i++)
{
ret += System.Convert.ToChar(enc[i]).ToString();
}
return ret;
}

Regards JJ (UWA)


Apr 23 '07 #12
Arne Vajhřj wrote:
Göran Andersson wrote:
>>>Hashing is not encryption. MD5Encrypt is a misleading name, as MD5
is
a hashing algorithm and doesn't do any encryption at all.

Some people call hashing "one way encryption".

Arne
As i just posted above this is not one way !!! So does this mean i am
encrypting.
--
Regards JJ (UWA)

Apr 23 '07 #13
On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 11:08:13 +0200, Göran Andersson <gu***@guffa.com>
wrote:
>Arne Vajhřj wrote:
>Göran Andersson wrote:
>>:: Hashing is not encryption. MD5Encrypt is a misleading name, as MD5
is a hashing algorithm and doesn't do any encryption at all.

Some people call hashing "one way encryption".

Arne

Yes. To be strictly correct one would say that hashing can be used as a
one way encryption. The hashing algorithm still does hashing, not
encryption. The difference is subtle, but one should be aware that
hashing serves a different purpose than encryption, so not all hashing
algorthms are well suited for one way encryption.
He is not using the hash to encrypt. He is using the hash to help
derive a secure keu from the user's password. He is using 3DES to do
the actual encryption.

rossum
Apr 23 '07 #14
>public string JJEncryption(string password)
> {
//Creates a random number generator.
Random random = new Random();
Random is not cryptographically secure. For a cryptographically
secure PRNG use System.Security.Cryptography.RandomNumberGenerator
Alternatively, write your own - google 'Yarrow' or 'Fortuna' for
examples.

Have looked into the secure random Int32 and have come up with this.

public int CreateSecureRandomInt()
{
RNGCryptoServiceProvider random = new
RNGCryptoServiceProvider();
byte[] randBytes = new byte[4];
random.GetNonZeroBytes(randBytes);
int i = (BitConverter.ToInt32(randBytes,0));
if (i < 0)
i += (i - (i * 2)) - i;
string s = i.ToString();
s = s.Substring(1, 1);
return (Int32.Parse(s));
}
Is this what you ment ?
Or have i gone of on a tanjant ?

Still reading about the rest before i try and implerment as i have to have
an understanding
of the code to produce the required write up.
--
Regards JJ (UWA)

Apr 23 '07 #15
On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 14:06:52 +0100, "j1mb0jay" <ja**@aber.ac.uk>
wrote:
>>public string JJEncryption(string password)
{
//Creates a random number generator.
Random random = new Random();
Random is not cryptographically secure. For a cryptographically
secure PRNG use System.Security.Cryptography.RandomNumberGenerator
Alternatively, write your own - google 'Yarrow' or 'Fortuna' for
examples.

Have looked into the secure random Int32 and have come up with this.

public int CreateSecureRandomInt()
{
RNGCryptoServiceProvider random = new
RNGCryptoServiceProvider();
byte[] randBytes = new byte[4];
random.GetNonZeroBytes(randBytes);
By only taking non-zero bytes you are reducing the amount of
randomness (= entropy). Better not to do this.
int i = (BitConverter.ToInt32(randBytes,0));
At this point overwrite randBytes[] since you do not need it any more.
if (i < 0)
i += (i - (i * 2)) - i;
Better to pick a new random number until you get a positive one. The
point is to interfere as little as possible with what the RNG gives
you. The more you interfere the less random it is.

do {
random.GetNonZeroBytes(randBytes);
i = (BitConverter.ToInt32(randBytes,0));
while (i < 0);
string s = i.ToString();
s = s.Substring(1, 1);
return (Int32.Parse(s));
Why go to strings, which leave clear copies of your random number
lying around on the heap? If you want the second most significant
digit of your random number then you can get at it by manipulating the
integer directly: divide by 10 until the number is < 100, then take
mod 10.

rossum
}
Is this what you ment ?
Or have i gone of on a tanjant ?

Still reading about the rest before i try and implerment as i have to have
an understanding
of the code to produce the required write up.
Apr 23 '07 #16
Thank you very much for your help dont want to annoy you to much.

I have changed the requested... and hopefully this is what you ment.

private int CreateSecureRandomInt()
{
RNGCryptoServiceProvider random = new
RNGCryptoServiceProvider();
byte[] randBytes = new byte[4];
random.GetBytes(randBytes);
int i = (BitConverter.ToInt32(randBytes,0));
randBytes = null;

if (i < 0)
CreateSecureRandomInt();

while (i 10)
{
i = i / 10;
}

return i;
}

I will work on the rest of the "fixes" over the next few days and will post
back.

I tried replacing this ...
tdes.Mode = CipherMode.ECB;

with...
tdes.Mode = CipherMode.CBC;

But it seems to output characters which can not be converted to base64,
which would mean a big change.
I need to do some more reading.

Once again thanks

Regards JJ (UWA)

Apr 23 '07 #17
j1mb0jay wrote:
Ok just for you...... since im not planning on using it any where other
than coursework, heres the code to decrypt, try them !!

I assure you they work.
public string JJDycryption(string ePassword)
{

string nonB64password = MD5Decrypt(ePassword,true);

char[] splitter = { '-' };

string[] s = nonB64password.Split(splitter);

int milli = Convert.ToInt32(ConvertFromBase64(s[0]));

int ramdom = Convert.ToInt32(ConvertFromBase64(s[1]));

milli = milli + ramdom;

string password = string.Empty;

for (int index = 2; index < s.Length; index++)

{

int i = Convert.ToInt32(s[index]);

i = i - milli;

char c = Convert.ToChar(i);

password = password + c.ToString();

}

return password;

}

private string MD5Decrypt(string cipherString, bool useHashing)
{
byte[] keyArray;
//get the byte code of the string

byte[] toEncryptArray = Convert.FromBase64String(cipherString);

System.Configuration.AppSettingsReader settingsReader = new
AppSettingsReader();
//Get your key from config file to open the lock!
string key = ApplicationSettings.MeetySettings.Key;

if (useHashing)
{
//if hashing was used get the hash code with regards to
your key
MD5CryptoServiceProvider hashmd5 = new
MD5CryptoServiceProvider();
keyArray =
hashmd5.ComputeHash(UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key ));
//release any resource held by the MD5CryptoServiceProvider

hashmd5.Clear();
}
else
{
//if hashing was not implemented get the byte code of the
key
keyArray = UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(key);
}

TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider tdes = new
TripleDESCryptoServiceProvider();
//set the secret key for the tripleDES algorithm
tdes.Key = keyArray;
//mode of operation. there are other 4 modes. We choose
ECB(Electronic code Book)

tdes.Mode = CipherMode.ECB;
//padding mode(if any extra byte added)
tdes.Padding = PaddingMode.PKCS7;

ICryptoTransform cTransform = tdes.CreateDecryptor();
byte[] resultArray =
cTransform.TransformFinalBlock(toEncryptArray, 0, toEncryptArray.Length);
//Release resources held by TripleDes Encryptor
tdes.Clear();
//return the Clear decrypted TEXT
return UTF8Encoding.UTF8.GetString(resultArray);
}

private string ConvertFromBase64(string text)
{
string ret = string.Empty;
byte[] enc = System.Convert.FromBase64String(text);
for (int i = 0; i < enc.Length; i++)
{
ret += System.Convert.ToChar(enc[i]).ToString();
}
return ret;
}

Regards JJ (UWA)
Oh, I see now what you are doing. The name of the MD5Encrypt method is
misleading in a slightly different way than I said. It doesn't try to do
MD5 encryption at all, it does MD5 hashing of the key and TripleDES
encryption of the data.

--
Göran Andersson
_____
http://www.guffa.com
Apr 23 '07 #18
What an enjoyable change from what I dare say most of us typically see.
Somebody has a serious question, posts examples rather than ask for the code
to be written and they listen to advice and revise things :-) This is what
makes it worth it...

Now... I think you have a potential recursion issue here. Not likely to
continue on too deeply perhaps but because you repeatedly call
CreateSecureRandomInt() you can create a lot of objects and the stack has to
unwind when it finally gets a positive value. You might want to tidy that
up as you have time.

Tom

"j1mb0jay" <ja**@aber.ac.ukwrote in message
news:11***************@leri.aber.ac.uk...
Thank you very much for your help dont want to annoy you to much.

I have changed the requested... and hopefully this is what you ment.

private int CreateSecureRandomInt()
{
RNGCryptoServiceProvider random = new
RNGCryptoServiceProvider();
byte[] randBytes = new byte[4];
random.GetBytes(randBytes);
int i = (BitConverter.ToInt32(randBytes,0));
randBytes = null;

if (i < 0)
CreateSecureRandomInt();

while (i 10)
{
i = i / 10;
}

return i;
}

I will work on the rest of the "fixes" over the next few days and will
post back.

I tried replacing this ...
tdes.Mode = CipherMode.ECB;

with...
tdes.Mode = CipherMode.CBC;

But it seems to output characters which can not be converted to base64,
which would mean a big change.
I need to do some more reading.

Once again thanks

Regards JJ (UWA)

Apr 23 '07 #19
j1mb0jay wrote:
Arne Vajhřj wrote:
>Göran Andersson wrote:
>>>>Hashing is not encryption. MD5Encrypt is a misleading name, as MD5
is
a hashing algorithm and doesn't do any encryption at all.

Some people call hashing "one way encryption".

As i just posted above this is not one way !!! So does this mean i am
encrypting.
Yes.

Arne
Apr 23 '07 #20
On Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:49:53 +0100, "j1mb0jay" <ja**@aber.ac.uk>
wrote:
>Thank you very much for your help dont want to annoy you to much.

I have changed the requested... and hopefully this is what you ment.

private int CreateSecureRandomInt()
{
RNGCryptoServiceProvider random = new
RNGCryptoServiceProvider();
byte[] randBytes = new byte[4];
random.GetBytes(randBytes);
int i = (BitConverter.ToInt32(randBytes,0));
randBytes = null;

if (i < 0)
CreateSecureRandomInt();
This does not do what I suspect you want it to. Trace the value of
variable i before and after this statement.
>
while (i 10)
{
i = i / 10;
}

return i;
}
I ran some tests on your code as written. The results were not good:

Low values = 4983
0 -0
1 -2321
2 -590
3 -264
4 -236
5 -280
6 -274
7 -247
8 -258
9 -271
High values = 276
10000 tests total.

Low values are negative numbers, 0 to 9 are the digits and high values
are ten or more. Your code does not return what you seem to want it
to - a single digit in the range 0 to 9. If you want a digit in the
range 1 to 9 then it is better, but the digits are not picked equally,
1 and 2 are more frequent than they should be.

Fixing your if-statement removes negative numbers:

Low values = 0
0 -0
1 -4661
2 -1209
3 -519
4 -513
5 -515
6 -541
7 -555
8 -505
9 -506
High values = 476
10000 tests total.

For a correct distribution, each digit should appear about 1000 times.

Your other problems need a bit more study. One line of attack might
be to avoid using integers, you can just get a single byte in the
range 0 to 255 and derive your single digit from that. Hint: because
10 is not a power of 2 and 256 is, you will need to throw some numbers
away for a correct distribution of results.

My test code is below for reference.

A style point, if your function is intended to return a random digit
then it might be better to call it CreateSecureRandomDigit().
>I will work on the rest of the "fixes" over the next few days and will post
back.

I tried replacing this ...
tdes.Mode = CipherMode.ECB;

with...
tdes.Mode = CipherMode.CBC;

But it seems to output characters which can not be converted to base64,
All characters can be converted to Base64, you problem is elsewhere.

Are you setting up an Initialisation Vector (IV), which is needed for
CBC mode? You will also need to transmit the IV with your cyphertext.

rossum
>which would mean a big change.
I need to do some more reading.

Once again thanks

Regards JJ (UWA)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Test code:

static void Main() {
int numTests = 10000;
int[] counters = new int[10];
int lowValue = 0;
int highValue = 0;
for (int i = 0; i < numTests; ++i) {
int csri = CreateSecureRandomInt();
if (csri < 0) {
++lowValue;
} else if (csri 9) {
++highValue;
} else {
++counters[csri];
} // end if
} // end for

Console.WriteLine("Low values = {0}", lowValue);
for (int j = 0; j < 10; ++j) {
Console.WriteLine("{0} -{1}", j, counters[j]);
} // end for
Console.WriteLine("High values = {0}", highValue);
Console.WriteLine("{0} tests total.", numTests);
Console.Write("Press [Enter] to continue... ");
Console.ReadLine();
} // end Main()

Apr 24 '07 #21
rossum wrote:
>
I ran some tests on your code as written. The results were not good:
If you called the method from a loop, you will be creating a lot of
random generators in a short time. As the system time is used to create
the initial seed in the random generator, this will of course give bad
randomness.

If you are going to create more than one random number, you should
create one random generator, and use that to create all the random numbers.

--
Göran Andersson
_____
http://www.guffa.com
Apr 24 '07 #22
On Tue, 24 Apr 2007 20:20:06 +0200, Göran Andersson <gu***@guffa.com>
wrote:
>rossum wrote:
>>
I ran some tests on your code as written. The results were not good:

If you called the method from a loop, you will be creating a lot of
random generators in a short time. As the system time is used to create
the initial seed in the random generator, this will of course give bad
randomness.

If you are going to create more than one random number, you should
create one random generator, and use that to create all the random numbers.
I did that, I pulled the RNG declaration outside the function so it
was only declared once. The OP's function is overly complex for
producing a single digit and does not produce linearly random results.

In theory, a cryptographic PRNG should give different numbers every
time it is started, even if new copies are started very close to each
other and with the same seed - relying entirely on the system timer
(as with Random) would disqualify it as a cryptographic PRNG. As far
as I am aware the Microsoft cryptographic PRNG passes those tests.

Update: I just put the CPRNG back inside the function and tested it
with my improved random digit generator:

Low values = 0
0 - 1031
1 - 962
2 - 955
3 - 1033
4 - 1015
5 - 948
6 - 1019
7 - 1023
8 - 973
9 - 1041
High values = 0
10000 tests total.

It is a good cryptographic PRNG and can cope well with being
instantiated many times quickly. There are some details of it in
section 7.1.3 of RFC 4068 (http://rfc.net/rfc4086.html#s7.1.3.)
rossum

Apr 25 '07 #23

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