Final answer:
The One-Time Pad cipher is a unique encryption method that employs a random key the same length as the plaintext and uses the XOR operation for encryption. It is known for being unbreakable when used correctly because the key is random, used only once, and kept secret.
Step-by-step explanation:
The One-Time Pad (OTP) cipher is not based off of any other cipher; instead, it is a unique encryption method in itself. Essentially, the OTP utilizes a random key that is as long as the plaintext message to be encrypted. This key is used only once, hence the term 'One-Time Pad'. The security of the OTP lies in its randomness and the fact that the key is used only once, which prevents patterns from emerging that could be exploited by cryptanalysts.
The method by which the One-Time Pad encrypts information is by applying the logical operation known as the XOR (exclusive or) to combine the plaintext message with the random key. Each bit or character from the plaintext is combined with the corresponding bit or character from the key. If the key is truly random, used only once, and kept secret, the encryption is considered unbreakable due to the lack of recurring patterns and inability to perform frequency analysis.
Example of One-Time Pad Encryption
Let's consider a simple example with letters. If our plaintext message is 'HELLO' and our randomly generated key is 'XMCKL', the encryption would be performed character by character. By converting the letters into their numerical values, applying the XOR operation, and converting the result back into letters, we would get an encrypted message. It's important to note that the success of this method relies entirely on the properties of the key.