---
name: "Crypt::DES"
section: "3pm"
platform: "linux"
package: "perl-crypt-des"
version: "2.09-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/Crypt::DES"
---

# Crypt::DES(3pm)

Perl DES encryption module

## NAME

Crypt::DES - Perl DES encryption module

## SYNOPSIS

```
        use Crypt::DES;
        my $key = pack("H16", "0123456789ABCDEF");
        my $cipher = Crypt::DES->new($key);
        my $ciphertext = $cipher->encrypt($plaintext);
        my $plaintext = $cipher->decrypt($ciphertext);
```

## DESCRIPTION

The module implements the Crypt::CBC interface, which has the following methods

- blocksize

  - keysize

  - encrypt

  - decrypt

  ## FUNCTIONS

- blocksize

  Returns the size (in bytes) of the block cipher.

- keysize

  Returns the size (in bytes) of the key. Optimal size is 8 bytes.

- new

  ```
          my $cipher = Crypt::DES->new($key);
  ```

  This creates a new Crypt::DES BlockCipher object, using `$key`, where `$key` is a key of `keysize()` bytes.

- encrypt

  ```
          my $cipher = Crypt::DES->new($key);
          my $ciphertext = $cipher->encrypt($plaintext);
  ```

  This function encrypts `$plaintext` and returns the `$ciphertext` where `$plaintext` and `$ciphertext` should be of `blocksize()` bytes.

- decrypt

  ```
          my $cipher = Crypt::DES->new($key);
          my $plaintext = $cipher->decrypt($ciphertext);
  ```

  This function decrypts `$ciphertext` and returns the `$plaintext` where `$plaintext` and `$ciphertext` should be of `blocksize()` bytes.

## Security Considerations

This module is not deprecated as there may still be a reason to encrypt and decrypt using DES. However, DES is known to be weak. In 2026 a standard laptop can brute-force a DES key in a few days. **DO NOT use DES (or this module) with any expectation of** **security**.

## EXAMPLE

```
        my $key = pack("H16", "0123456789ABCDEF");
        my $cipher = Crypt::DES->new($key);
        my $ciphertext = $cipher->encrypt("plaintex");  # NB - 8 bytes
        print unpack("H16", $ciphertext), "\n";
        my $plaintext = $cipher->decrypt($ciphertext);
        print $plaintext, "\n";
```

## NOTES

Do note that DES only uses 8 byte keys and only works on 8 byte data blocks.  If you're intending to encrypt larger blocks or entire files,  please use Crypt::CBC in conjunction with this module.  See the Crypt::CBC documentation for proper syntax and use.

Also note that the DES algorithm is, by today's standard, weak  encryption.  CryptX (Crypt::Cipher::AES) is recommended if you want to replace Crypt::DES in a Crypt::CBC use case.  Otherwise, replacing it with something like Crypt::AuthEnc::GCM would be recommended.

## SEE ALSO

Crypt::AuthEnc::GCM Crypt::Blowfish Crypt::IDEA

Bruce Schneier, *Applied Cryptography*, 1995, Second Edition, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

## COPYRIGHT

The implementation of the DES algorithm was developed by, and is copyright of, Eric Young (eay@mincom.oz.au). Other parts of the perl extension and module are copyright of Systemics Ltd ( http://www.systemics.com/ ). Cross-platform work and packaging for single algorithm  distribution is copyright of W3Works, LLC.

## MAINTAINER

This single-algorithm package and cross-platform code is  maintained by Dave Paris \<amused@pobox.com\>.

Timothy Legge \<timlegge@gmail.com\> started maintaining this module as of version 2.08.