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diff --git a/user_guide_src/source/libraries/encrypt.rst b/user_guide_src/source/libraries/encrypt.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000..faff39975 --- /dev/null +++ b/user_guide_src/source/libraries/encrypt.rst @@ -0,0 +1,203 @@ +############# +Encrypt Class +############# + +The Encrypt Class provides two-way data encryption. It uses a scheme +that either compiles the message using a randomly hashed bitwise XOR +encoding scheme, or is encrypted using the Mcrypt library. If Mcrypt is +not available on your server the encoded message will still provide a +reasonable degree of security for encrypted sessions or other such +"light" purposes. If Mcrypt is available, you'll be provided with a high +degree of security appropriate for storage. + +.. important:: This library has been DEPRECATED and is only kept for + backwards compatibility. Please use the new :doc:`Encryption Library + <encryption>`. + +.. contents:: + :local: + +.. raw:: html + + <div class="custom-index container"></div> + +************************* +Using the Encrypt Library +************************* + +Setting your Key +================ + +A *key* is a piece of information that controls the cryptographic +process and permits an encrypted string to be decoded. In fact, the key +you chose will provide the **only** means to decode data that was +encrypted with that key, so not only must you choose the key carefully, +you must never change it if you intend use it for persistent data. + +It goes without saying that you should guard your key carefully. Should +someone gain access to your key, the data will be easily decoded. If +your server is not totally under your control it's impossible to ensure +key security so you may want to think carefully before using it for +anything that requires high security, like storing credit card numbers. + +To take maximum advantage of the encryption algorithm, your key should +be 32 characters in length (256 bits). The key should be as random a +string as you can concoct, with numbers and uppercase and lowercase +letters. Your key should **not** be a simple text string. In order to be +cryptographically secure it needs to be as random as possible. + +Your key can be either stored in your **application/config/config.php**, or +you can design your own storage mechanism and pass the key dynamically +when encoding/decoding. + +To save your key to your **application/config/config.php**, open the file +and set:: + + $config['encryption_key'] = "YOUR KEY"; + +Message Length +============== + +It's important for you to know that the encoded messages the encryption +function generates will be approximately 2.6 times longer than the +original message. For example, if you encrypt the string "my super +secret data", which is 21 characters in length, you'll end up with an +encoded string that is roughly 55 characters (we say "roughly" because +the encoded string length increments in 64 bit clusters, so it's not +exactly linear). Keep this information in mind when selecting your data +storage mechanism. Cookies, for example, can only hold 4K of +information. + +Initializing the Class +====================== + +Like most other classes in CodeIgniter, the Encrypt class is +initialized in your controller using the ``$this->load->library()`` +method:: + + $this->load->library('encrypt'); + +Once loaded, the Encrypt library object will be available using:: + + $this->encrypt + +*************** +Class Reference +*************** + +.. class:: CI_Encrypt + + .. method:: encode($string[, $key = '']) + + :param string $string: Data to encrypt + :param string $key: Encryption key + :returns: Encrypted string + :rtype: string + + Performs the data encryption and returns it as a string. Example:: + + $msg = 'My secret message'; + + $encrypted_string = $this->encrypt->encode($msg); + + You can optionally pass your encryption key via the second parameter if + you don't want to use the one in your config file:: + + $msg = 'My secret message'; + $key = 'super-secret-key'; + + $encrypted_string = $this->encrypt->encode($msg, $key); + + .. method:: decode($string[, $key = '']) + + :param string $string: String to decrypt + :param string $key: Encryption key + :returns: Plain-text string + :rtype: string + + Decrypts an encoded string. Example:: + + $encrypted_string = 'APANtByIGI1BpVXZTJgcsAG8GZl8pdwwa84'; + + $plaintext_string = $this->encrypt->decode($encrypted_string); + + You can optionally pass your encryption key via the second parameter if + you don't want to use the one in your config file:: + + $msg = 'My secret message'; + $key = 'super-secret-key'; + + $encrypted_string = $this->encrypt->decode($msg, $key); + + .. method:: set_cipher($cipher) + + :param int $cipher: Valid PHP MCrypt cypher constant + :returns: CI_Encrypt instance (method chaining) + :rtype: CI_Encrypt + + Permits you to set an Mcrypt cipher. By default it uses + ``MCRYPT_RIJNDAEL_256``. Example:: + + $this->encrypt->set_cipher(MCRYPT_BLOWFISH); + + Please visit php.net for a list of `available ciphers <http://php.net/mcrypt>`_. + + If you'd like to manually test whether your server supports MCrypt you + can use:: + + echo extension_loaded('mcrypt') ? 'Yup' : 'Nope'; + + .. method:: set_mode($mode) + + :param int $mode: Valid PHP MCrypt mode constant + :returns: CI_Encrypt instance (method chaining) + :rtype: CI_Encrypt + + Permits you to set an Mcrypt mode. By default it uses **MCRYPT_MODE_CBC**. + Example:: + + $this->encrypt->set_mode(MCRYPT_MODE_CFB); + + Please visit php.net for a list of `available modes <http://php.net/mcrypt>`_. + + .. method:: encode_from_legacy($string[, $legacy_mode = MCRYPT_MODE_ECB[, $key = '']]) + + :param string $string: String to encrypt + :param int $legacy_mode: Valid PHP MCrypt cipher constant + :param string $key: Encryption key + :returns: Newly encrypted string + :rtype: string + + Enables you to re-encode data that was originally encrypted with + CodeIgniter 1.x to be compatible with the Encrypt library in + CodeIgniter 2.x. It is only necessary to use this method if you have + encrypted data stored permanently such as in a file or database and are + on a server that supports Mcrypt. "Light" use encryption such as + encrypted session data or transitory encrypted flashdata require no + intervention on your part. However, existing encrypted Sessions will be + destroyed since data encrypted prior to 2.x will not be decoded. + + .. important:: + **Why only a method to re-encode the data instead of maintaining legacy + methods for both encoding and decoding?** The algorithms in the + Encrypt library have improved in CodeIgniter 2.x both for performance + and security, and we do not wish to encourage continued use of the older + methods. You can of course extend the Encryption library if you wish and + replace the new methods with the old and retain seamless compatibility + with CodeIgniter 1.x encrypted data, but this a decision that a + developer should make cautiously and deliberately, if at all. + + :: + + $new_data = $this->encrypt->encode_from_legacy($old_encrypted_string); + + ====================== =============== ======================================================================= + Parameter Default Description + ====================== =============== ======================================================================= + **$orig_data** n/a The original encrypted data from CodeIgniter 1.x's Encryption library + **$legacy_mode** MCRYPT_MODE_ECB The Mcrypt mode that was used to generate the original encrypted data. + CodeIgniter 1.x's default was MCRYPT_MODE_ECB, and it will assume that + to be the case unless overridden by this parameter. + **$key** n/a The encryption key. This it typically specified in your config file as + outlined above. + ====================== =============== =======================================================================
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