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    The XOR encryption is a simple symmetric cipher that is used in many applications where security is not a defined requirement.

    The XOR Operator

    XOR (Exclusive OR) is a bitwise operator from binary mathematics.

    The six bitwise operators, as defined in the C programming language, are:

    Operation Symbol
    AND &
    Inclusive OR |
    Exclusive OR (XOR) ^
    Right Shift >>
    Left Shift <<
    Complement ~

    The XOR operator returns a 1 when the value of either the first bit or the second bit is a 1.

    The XOR operator returns a 0 when neither or both of the bits are 1.

    This is best illustrated in the following chart:

    First Bit Second Bit Result
    0 0 0
    0 1 1
    1 0 1
    1 1 0

    The XOR operator is used to “flip” bits (zeroes and ones) in a piece of plaintext to create a ciphertext.

    Converting Plaintext to Ciphertext with XOR Encryption

    The plaintext being started with is the term “FAQ.”

    • ASCII representation of the plaintext: FAQ
    • Hexadecimal representation of the plaintext: 70 65 81
    • Binary representation of the plaintext: 01110000 01100101 1000000

    XOR the first character of this plaintext into ciphertext using a “V” as the key:

    • ASCII representation of the key: V
    • Hexadecimal representation of the key: 56
    • Binary representation of the key: 10000110
    Plaintext ‘F’ Key ‘V’ Ciphertext
    0 1 1
    1 0 1
    1 0 1
    1 0 1
    0 0 0
    0 1 1
    0 0 0
    0 1 1

    Converting Ciphertext to Plaintext with XOR Encryption

    XOR encryption is a symmetric algorithm. This means that the encryption key can be used as the decryption key.

    Decrypt the ciphertext to recreate the original plaintext.

    Ciphertext Key ‘V’ Plaintext
    1 1 0
    1 0 1
    1 0 1
    1 0 1
    0 0 0
    1 1 0
    0 0 0
    1 1 0

    Users should do the math themselves with the other two characters of plaintext to prove this to themselves.

    Many encryption algorithms utilize the XOR operator as part of their operations.

    Understanding XOR and the other binary operators is a necessary step on the path to becoming a cryptologist.

    XOR Security

    XOR encryption is simple to implement and equally simple to break.

    XOR encryption should not be utilized for any data that the user wants to protect.

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    6 comments
    1. Rachel

      21 December, 2017 at 7:00 pm

      Small error: The hex representation of “v” is actually 56, not 86. 86 is the decimal representation.

      Reply
      • admin

        21 February, 2018 at 1:13 pm

        Indeed. Fixed.Thank you.

        Reply
    2. Naveen

      6 March, 2017 at 5:40 am

      converting plain text to cipher text with XOR Encryption in these topic the ASCII representation of the key is v and the binary representation you used first is 10000110 but in the table you used 10000101.For what reason you changed the key in table

      Reply
    3. Daphne

      10 February, 2017 at 1:23 pm

      And I think your plaintext F is actually the representation of p. Can you double-check your work? If I am on the right track, you used the hexadecimal 70, where it should be the decimal.

      Reply
    4. Daphne

      10 February, 2017 at 1:18 pm

      It looks like there is an error on this page. The binary representation of V (134) looks incorrect in the table format. Can you double-check? If there is a 1 in the last spot, it cannot be even.

      Reply
    5. Dezmats

      27 January, 2012 at 12:32 pm

      So how you brake it ? exemple. Yahoo .dat files are encrypted with XOR. right?

      Reply
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