Glossary

Symmetric encryption algorithms that encrypt data one bit or byte at a time, useful for streaming use cases like real-time audio/video, contrasted with block ciphers that encrypt fixed-size chunks.

Stream ciphers encrypt data continuously, mixing the plaintext with a pseudorandom keystream derived from the key. They are efficient for streaming applications and small messages and form one half of the symmetric-cipher landscape alongside block ciphers. Modern practice often uses authenticated encryption modes (like AES-GCM) that build on block ciphers, but stream-cipher concepts remain foundational cryptography literacy. Misuses (key reuse with stream ciphers) are classic implementation errors to recognize.

Introduced in: Cryptography Essentials

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