XOR Encryption

A basic encryption technique using the XOR operation to obscure data, commonly used in malware obfuscation.

Understanding XOR Encryption

XOR (Exclusive OR) encryption is a simple yet effective symmetric encryption technique used to obscure data. It works by applying the XOR logical operation between the plaintext and a key, producing ciphertext that can only be decrypted using the same key. XOR is commonly used in cryptographic applications, obfuscation, and lightweight encryption schemes.

How XOR Encryption Works

Each bit of the plaintext is XORed with the corresponding bit of the key.
If the key is shorter than the plaintext, it is repeated cyclically.
The same XOR operation is used for both encryption and decryption.

Example of XOR Encryption

Plaintext: 10101010
Key: 11001100
Ciphertext: 01100110

Prevention and Best Practices

Use strong, unpredictable keys.
Combine XOR with more complex encryption techniques.
Avoid key reuse to prevent pattern recognition.