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Cryptology Academy · Lesson

Common Python Crypto Pitfalls & Secure Patterns

Avoid hardcoded keys, ECB mode, non-constant-time compares, and more.

The Most Dangerous Crypto Mistakes

Cryptography is easy to use wrong. The most common Python pitfalls: hardcoded keys, ECB mode, non-constant-time comparisons, weak randomness, key/nonce reuse, and rolling your own crypto.

Pitfall 1: Hardcoded Keys

Never embed keys in source code. They end up in git history, logs, and error messages. Use environment variables or a KMS:

# WRONG
SECRET_KEY = b"my_secret_key_12"  # visible in git!

# RIGHT
import os
SECRET_KEY = os.environb.get(b"SECRET_KEY") or os.urandom(32)
# Or load from KMS at startup

All lessons in this course

  1. Python cryptography Library Overview
  2. AES-GCM Encrypt & Decrypt in Python
  3. RSA & ECDSA Key Pairs in Python
  4. Common Python Crypto Pitfalls & Secure Patterns
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