Alternative term for
triple DES, or
Data Encryption Standard, where the encrypted file or datastream is run through DES three times consecutively.
DES was developed by IBM in 1974 and formally published in 1977.
As DES is so easy to crack these days, 3DES should considered to be the minimum level of DES encryption, although Blowfish is probably the better choice for raw speed or throughput..
Date info accreditation: Maximum Security Linux, ISBN0-672-31670-6