Install PyCryptodome in Python Easily

PyCryptodome is a powerful Python library for cryptographic operations. It provides secure encryption, decryption, and hashing.

This guide will show you how to install PyCryptodome in Python. You'll also learn basic usage with examples.

What Is PyCryptodome?

PyCryptodome is a fork of PyCrypto. It offers improved security and better performance. The library supports many cryptographic algorithms.

You can use it for AES, RSA, and SHA operations. It's ideal for securing data in Python applications.

Prerequisites

Before installing PyCryptodome, ensure you have:

• Python 3.6 or later installed
• pip package manager
• Basic knowledge of Python

If you need help with Python setup, check our guide on Python package installation.

Install PyCryptodome Using pip

The easiest way to install PyCryptodome is with pip. Open your terminal or command prompt.

Run this command:

pip install pycryptodome

This will download and install the latest version. For Python 2.7, use pycryptodomex instead.

Verify Installation

After installation, verify it works. Open a Python shell and try importing it:

from Crypto.Cipher import AES
print("PyCryptodome installed successfully!")

If no errors appear, installation was successful. You're ready to use PyCryptodome.

Basic PyCryptodome Example

Here's a simple AES encryption example. This shows how to encrypt and decrypt data.

from Crypto.Cipher import AES
from Crypto.Random import get_random_bytes

# Generate a random key
key = get_random_bytes(16)

# Create cipher object
cipher = AES.new(key, AES.MODE_EAX)

# Encrypt some data
data = b"Secret message"
ciphertext, tag = cipher.encrypt_and_digest(data)

# Decrypt the data
cipher = AES.new(key, AES.MODE_EAX, cipher.nonce)
plaintext = cipher.decrypt_and_verify(ciphertext, tag)

print("Original:", data)
print("Decrypted:", plaintext)

This example shows basic AES encryption. The get_random_bytes function generates a secure key.

Common Use Cases

PyCryptodome is useful for many security tasks:

• File encryption
• Secure communication
• Password hashing
• Digital signatures

For more complex data handling, see our guide on PyTables for big data.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, try these solutions:

ImportError: Ensure you installed the correct package name. Use pycryptodomex for Python 2.

Permission errors: Try adding --user to the pip command. Or use a virtual environment.

Conflicts with PyCrypto: Uninstall PyCrypto first if present. They can't coexist.

Advanced Features

PyCryptodome offers many advanced features:

• Support for hardware acceleration
• Multiple encryption modes
• Key derivation functions

For other advanced Python packages, check our Py4J for Java integration guide.

Conclusion

PyCryptodome is essential for Python cryptography. It's easy to install with pip and simple to use.

You learned the installation process and basic usage. Now you can secure your Python applications with strong encryption.

For more Python package guides, explore our tutorials on various libraries and tools.