RSA encryption/decryption C# example

In this blog post, we will explore encryption and decryption in C# using the RSA algorithm. Encryption is the process of converting data into a form that can only be accessed by authorized individuals, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. The RSA algorithm is a widely used asymmetric encryption algorithm that uses a pair of public and private keys for encryption and decryption.

By the end of this blog post, you will gain familiarity with the following topics:

• What is encryption?
• How to perform encryption and decryption using RSA algorithm in C#

What is Encryption?

Encryption is the process of converting data into a format that is unreadable by unauthorized parties. It is used to protect sensitive or classified information, prevent tampering, and establish digital identity. By encrypting data, it becomes secure and can only be accessed by authorized individuals with the necessary decryption key.

Types of Encryption

There are two broad categories of encryption commonly discussed: symmetric key cryptography and asymmetric key cryptography. Symmetric-key encryption uses a single private key that is shared between both parties to encrypt and decrypt messages securely. Asymmetric-key encryption, on the other hand, uses a pair of related keys: a private key and a public key. The public key can be distributed publicly without compromising security, while the private key is kept secret and is used for decryption.

How to Encrypt and Decrypt Data using RSA Algorithm in C#

In C#, there are two classes available for performing asymmetric encryption: RSACryptoServiceProvider and DSACryptoServiceProvider. These classes automatically generate the necessary public and private keys for encryption and decryption.

Here’s an example code snippet that demonstrates how to encrypt and decrypt data using the RSA algorithm in C#:

void Main()
{

	var keySize=2048;
	var rsaCryptoServiceProvider = new RSACryptoServiceProvider(keySize);

	var cipherText = Encrypt("hello world", rsaCryptoServiceProvider.ExportParameters(false));
	var plainText = Decrypt(cipherText, rsaCryptoServiceProvider.ExportParameters(true));
	Console.WriteLine(plainText);

}
public string Encrypt(string data, RSAParameters key)
{

	using (var rsa = new RSACryptoServiceProvider())
	{
		rsa.ImportParameters(key);
		var byteData = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(data);
		var encryptData = rsa.Encrypt(byteData, false);
		return Convert.ToBase64String(encryptData);
	}
}

public string Decrypt(string cipherText, RSAParameters key)
{

	using (var rsa = new RSACryptoServiceProvider())
	{
		var cipherByteData = Convert.FromBase64String(cipherText);
		rsa.ImportParameters(key);

		var encryptData = rsa.Decrypt(cipherByteData, false);
		return Encoding.UTF8.GetString(encryptData);
	}
}

In the above code, we first create an instance of the RSACryptoServiceProvider class with the desired key size. Then, we use the Encrypt method to encrypt the data by providing the plaintext and the public key obtained from ExportParameters(false). Similarly, the Decrypt method is used to decrypt the ciphertext using the private key obtained from ExportParameters(true).

By following these steps, you can encrypt and decrypt data using the RSA algorithm in C#.

In conclusion, encryption plays a crucial role in securing sensitive data. The RSA algorithm, with its asymmetric key encryption approach, provides a robust and widely adopted solution for secure communication and data protection.