OpenSSL/Cheatsheet

Command line shortcuts

Type	Action	Command	Comment
Base64	Encode	openssl base64 -in <INPUT>.txt -out <OUTPUT>.b64
Base64	Decode	openssl base64 -d -in <INPUT>.b64 -out <OUTPUT>.txt
MD5	Checksum	openssl md5 <INPUT>	Same as md5sum <INPUT>
SHA1	Checksum	openssl sha1 <INPUT>	Same as sha1sum <INPUT>
SHA224	Checksum	openssl sha224 <INPUT>	Same as sha224sum <INPUT>
SHA256	Checksum	openssl sha256 <INPUT>	Same as sha256sum <INPUT>
SHA384	Checksum	openssl sha384 <INPUT>	Same as sha384sum <INPUT>
SHA512	Checksum	openssl sha512 <INPUT>	Same as sha512sum <INPUT>
Password	Encrypt	openssl passwd <Password>	Creates a crypt-ed password for use with /etc/shadow [1]
Password	Encrypt	openssl passwd -1 <Password>	Creates a md5 password for use with /etc/shadow [1]

Notes

1. Newer versions of Debian use the sha-512 there is a tool called mkpasswd that will create compatible passwords.

File encryption

Encrypt

openssl enc -aes-256-cbc < <File> > <File>.aes
enter aes-256-cbc encryption password:
Verifying - enter aes-256-cbc encryption password:

Decrypt

openssl enc -d -aes-256-cbc -in <File>.aes > <File> 
enter aes-256-cbc decryption password: