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Initialization vector



In cryptography, an initialization vector (IV) is a block of bits that is required to allow a stream cipher or a block cipher executed in any of several streaming modes of operation to produce a unique stream independent from other streams produced by the same encryption key, without having to go through a (usually lengthy) re-keying process. The size of IV depends on the encryption algorithm and on the cryptographic protocol in use and is normally as large as the block or as large as the encryption key.



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