KeePass uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 256-bit keys, also known as AES-256. This encryption algorithm is approved by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) for protecting top-secret information. AES-256 is considered unbreakable with current technology and is used by governments and security experts worldwide.
In addition to AES-256, KeePass also supports Twofish encryption. Twofish is a symmetric key block cipher with a block size of 128 bits and key sizes up to 256 bits. It was one of the five finalists in the Advanced Encryption Standard competition and is known for its security and performance.
When you create a password database in KeePass, all your passwords and data are encrypted using your master password or key file. The encryption process converts your readable data into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted with the correct key. This ensures that even if someone gains access to your database file, they cannot read your passwords without the encryption key.
KeePass uses key derivation functions to convert your master password into an encryption key. This process includes multiple iterations to make brute-force attacks more difficult. The default number of iterations is automatically calculated to require approximately 1 second of computation time on your machine, providing a good balance between security and performance.
The encryption algorithms used by KeePass are the same ones used to protect classified government information and financial transactions. This means your passwords are protected with the highest level of security available. Even with the most powerful computers, it would take billions of years to crack an AES-256 encrypted password.