An Amalgam Approach using AES and RC4 Algorithms for Encryption and Decryption

Abstract

This paper aims at developing a new hybrid cipher by combining the characteristics of two ciphers namely AES(Advanced Encryption Standard) and Rc4(also known as ARC4). The characteristics of both the ciphers are studied and a new cipher combining the characteristics of both the ciphers is generated which is more secure than the original ciphers. AES characteristics are its security and its resistance against attacks and the major characteristic of Rc4 is its speed. Therefore these characteristics are imbibed in the newly generated cipher. Thus it proves to be faster than the original AES and secure against most attacks. Three combination techniques have been formulated to generate a hybridized cipher and the procedure along with the strengths and weaknesses outlined. The third cipher is the major cipher which is focussed on in this paper. It is also shown that this cipher is resistant against most attacks. This will ensure the secrecy and confidentially of the messages it is used to encrypt. General Terms Hybrid, higher security, speed improvement, combination of ciphers, confidentiality, encryption, decryption.