Encryption changes plain text into unreadable text using an algorithm. It’s a process of hiding information so that outside sources cannot see or manipulate it. The most secure web encryption is 128-bit. It uses a longer sequence of bits to increase strength of encryption by offering an additional 88 bits of key length. This encryption uses a public key during the encryption process and a different private key for the decryption process. Most all providers now use 128 bit encryption which means there are 339 trillion different combinations to crack the code. (FAFSA) This ensures security of the data you send over the internet through secure sites. 128-bit encryption is so secure that trying to crack it simply isn't feasible. 128-bit encryption is 309,485,009,821,345,068,724,781,056 times stronger than 40-bit encryption. (FAFSA) It would take significantly longer than the age of the universe to crack a 128-bit key. Current cracking technology puts 128 bit encryption in the very hard to crack realm, but is not unbreakable. It just makes the duration longer and resource consumption more intense. In that case, those trying to crack have to consider if the unknown asset is worth the effort. State secrets may well be worth the effort
128 bit encryption is not bad encryption, but nor is it the best, the encryption standard for the government is 256 bit. If one wants to improve security, he or she could consider increasing to a 256 or 512 bit encryption. Also the use of salt and multiple algorithms will help increasing the security of one’s files. One simple and easy to use tool is: EncryptOnclick which has 256 bit encryption, and allows easy file encryption. It will always be possible for someone with unlimited resources to crack any type of encryption, as there is no effective way of preventing brute-force. Brute force would allow someone with large recourses like a hacker group to initiate a large quantity of data power, like thousands of computers, possibly under the spell of a computer virus, to try every possible combination until the password is cracked and the file is revealed. However, one must consider the likely hood of their files being exposed to such an attack. If the intentions are to keep things beyond the reach of future technology, even stronger encryption should be deployed. NSA suspects a fundamental weakness in keys that are short such as 128 bit encryption, or they may simply prefer a safety margin for top secret documents which may require security decades into the future. Breaking a symmetric 256-bit key by brute force requires 2^128 times more computational power than a 128-bit key. (EETIMES) A device that could check a billion AES keys per second would require about 3×10^51 years to exhaust the 256-bit key space. It is nearly impossible to crack and the NSA uses this for protection of classified information. (EETIMES) What we consider today as adequate, may be quite easy to crack in just a few years. 256AES is better, but 512 would be better, and so on up the scale.

References:
How secure is AES against brute force attacks?. (n.d.). electrical engineering, electronic engineering times, ee times, news, analysis, electronic design, products, education, learning ,eet,part search,tech papers, demos,fundamental courses,product search,components,part number | Electronics industry news, electronics design ideas & products for EEs. Retrieved April 11, 2013, from http://www.eetimes.com/design/embedded-internet-design/4372428/How-secure-is-AES-against-brute-force-attacks-
What are the security features in FAFSA on the Web?. (n.d.). Home - FAFSA on the Web-Federal Student
Aid. Retrieved April 10, 2013, from http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/help/secfeatures.htm