Why are the JCE Unlimited Strength not included by default?

Question

Setup

• Java doesn\'t offer out-of-the-box support for the JCE Unlimited Strength Policy Files
• This prevents users from using AES-256, the largest key

Answer 1

Now Unlimited cryptography enabled by default in the JDK

The JDK uses the Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) Jurisdiction Policy files to configure cryptographic algorithm restrictions. Previously, the Policy files in the JDK placed limits on various algorithms. This release ships with both the limited and unlimited jurisdiction policy files, with unlimited being the default. The behavior can be controlled via the new 'crypto.policy' Security property found in the /lib/java.security file. Please refer to that file for more information on this property.

See: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/8u161-relnotes-4021379.html#JDK-8170157