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Stream cipher attacks
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<p><a href="/facts/Stream_cipher/BxU0aWmJ">Stream ciphers</a>, where <a href="/facts/Plaintext/tWnBDCgE">plaintext</a> bits are combined with a cipher bit stream by an exclusive-or operation (<a href="/facts/Xor/FHyr7hGQ">xor</a>), can be very secure if used properly. However, they are vulnerable to attacks if certain precautions are not followed: </p> <ul><li>keys must never be used twice</li> <li>valid decryption should never be relied on to indicate authenticity</li></ul>