AES encryption of files with Python

Question

I am looking to implement a simple project that backs up files and encrypts them using AES.

The normal backing up part is done thanks to how Python handles everything ... however I need to encrypt the data also.

So my questions are:

Is AES the best encryption algorithm for encrypting the files or I can do better?
What is the best Python library for encrypting stuff? I searched and came across M2Crypto and PyCrypto. Any differences/ which one should I favour?
Is this going to be secure? I mean, I will be typing the key everytime I need to encrypt / decrypt and so I will be getting the key from raw_input. Is this OK?

If you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know.

Thanks.

Yann Ramin · Accepted Answer · 2010-12-15 19:06:50Z

2

Ideally, you would not be at a cipher level in order to secure your data. If nothing else, use an existing, proven secure, framework such as GPG to handle file encryption. This is driven home by your question regarding AES: you haven't even mentioned what cipher modes you were considering (CBC, XTR, CTR, CFB, EBC, etc).

answered Dec 15, 2010 at 19:06

Yann Ramin

33.2k3 gold badges63 silver badges83 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

Tzury Bar Yochay · Accepted Answer · 2010-12-15 19:08:54Z

1

as you have mentioned "AES" without specifying anything else (key-length, modes: cbc, ctr, etc.), I would suggest you to start with pgp (gpg). you can call the gpg command form python and get things done really quick

encrypt

$ gpg -e -r Recipient file

decrypt

$ gpg -d file

see more at http://www.dewinter.com/gnupg_howto/english/GPGMiniHowto.html#toc3

answered Dec 15, 2010 at 19:08

Tzury Bar Yochay

9,0126 gold badges53 silver badges75 bronze badges

Comments

OneOfOne · Accepted Answer · 2010-12-15 19:46:11Z

-1

Check pyOpenSSL or PyCrypto.

answered Dec 15, 2010 at 19:46

OneOfOne

100k22 gold badges195 silver badges187 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

AES encryption of files with Python

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related