CSCU Encryption and Cryptography 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of encryption?
- To compress data for faster transmission
- To convert readable data into an unreadable format to protect it (Correct answer)
- To delete sensitive data after use
- To organize files in a structured manner
Correct answer: To convert readable data into an unreadable format to protect it
Encryption converts plaintext into ciphertext to protect data from unauthorized access by those without the decryption key.
Question 2: Which type of encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption?
- Asymmetric encryption
- Public-key encryption
- Symmetric encryption (Correct answer)
- Hashing
Correct answer: Symmetric encryption
Symmetric encryption uses a single shared secret key for both encrypting and decrypting data.
Question 3: In asymmetric encryption, which key is used to encrypt data that only the recipient can decrypt?
- Private key
- Session key
- Secret key
- Public key (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Public key
The recipient's public key encrypts data, and only the corresponding private key held by the recipient can decrypt it.
Question 4: What does HTTPS indicate about a website connection?
- The website has been verified by the government
- The website uses HTTP with no encryption
- The connection between your browser and the website is encrypted (Correct answer)
- The website is guaranteed to be free of malware
Correct answer: The connection between your browser and the website is encrypted
HTTPS uses SSL/TLS to encrypt data transmitted between your browser and the web server, protecting it from interception.
Question 5: What is a cipher in the context of cryptography?
- A type of computer virus
- An algorithm used to encrypt and decrypt data (Correct answer)
- A hardware device for storing passwords
- A type of firewall rule
Correct answer: An algorithm used to encrypt and decrypt data
A cipher is a cryptographic algorithm that transforms plaintext into ciphertext and reverses the process with the correct key.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a digital certificate?
- To store encrypted files on a server
- To prove the identity of a website or person in digital communications (Correct answer)
- To block access to malicious websites
- To generate strong passwords automatically
Correct answer: To prove the identity of a website or person in digital communications
Digital certificates bind a public key to an identity, allowing others to verify the authenticity of websites and individuals.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes an encryption 'key'?
- A physical device used to unlock encrypted hardware
- A piece of information that controls how data is encrypted or decrypted (Correct answer)
- A password used only to access a network
- A type of antivirus signature file
Correct answer: A piece of information that controls how data is encrypted or decrypted
An encryption key is a value that is input into a cryptographic algorithm to determine the transformation applied to the data.
CSCU Encryption and Cryptography 1
What is the primary purpose of encryption?