• A. Rajamurugan
• GOBIKAA R

Cryptography serves as the backbone of modern digital security, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of sensitive information. This project, titled "Cracking of Cryptographic Algorithms: A Comparative Study of Their Strength and Vulnerabilities", explores the weaknesses and resilience of classical cryptographic algorithms, including Caesar Cipher, Vigenère Cipher, Rail Fence Cipher, Autokey Cipher, and Affine Cipher. These classical encryption methods, though historically significant, demonstrate varying levels of susceptibility to cryptanalysis techniques such as brute-force attacks, frequency analysis, and pattern recognition. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the inherent vulnerabilities of these algorithms and analyze their encryption strength through practical implementation and comparative analysis. A custom-built web-based tool was developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to facilitate cryptanalysis and allow users to interactively crack ciphertext. By simulating decryption processes and employing brute-force and analytical techniques, the study reveals the ease or complexity of breaking each cipher. The findings highlight the strengths of methods like the Vigenère Cipher, which resists simple brute force due to its polyalphabetic nature, and the weaknesses of simpler algorithms like the Caesar Cipher, which can be easily broken due to its limited key space. Additionally, the Rail Fence and Affine Ciphers demonstrate vulnerabilities inherent in their structural designs, while the Autokey Cipher offers moderate resistance but is not immune to known plaintext attacks. This comparative study underscores the importance of understanding cryptographic vulnerabilities in developing robust modern encryption standards. It also provides educational insights into the evolution of encryption techniques and their practical implications in cybersecurity. By bridging theoretical principles with hands-on cryptanalysis, this project serves as a valuable resource for students, researchers, and enthusiasts aiming to deepen their understanding of cryptography and its applications.

Cryptanalysis, Brute Force, Classical Ciphers, Vigenère Cipher, Rail Fence Cipher, Caesar Cipher, Encryption Strength, Cryptographic Vulnerabilities, Affine Cipher, Cybersecurity

"Cracking of Cryptographic Algorithms: A Comparative Study of Their Strength and Vulnerabilities", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no.a417-a441, February-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502052.pdf

"Cracking of Cryptographic Algorithms: A Comparative Study of Their Strength and Vulnerabilities", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 2, page no. ppa417-a441, February-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2502052.pdf