Encryption Concepts and Techniques

Mia Gilner, a computer science major, explains encryption, a method to secure private data on the open internet. She discusses the Caesar Cipher, an early encryption method, and its limitations. Modern encryption uses 256-bit keys, making it extremely difficult to crack. Symmetric encryption requires a shared secret key, while asymmetric encryption uses public and private keys, allowing secure communication without prior key exchange. Public key cryptography underpins internet security protocols like SSL and TLS, ensuring safe data exchange online.

What is the process of changing a message to hide its original text called?

• Decryption

• Encryption

• Encoding

• Hashing

Who is the Caesar Cipher named after?

• Marcus Aurelius

• Julius Caesar

• Augustus Caesar

• Nero

What is a major limitation of the Caesar Cipher?

• It can be easily cracked by trying all possible keys

• It requires a computer to decrypt

• It can only encrypt numbers

• It uses a very complex algorithm

How many possible key solutions are there with a 10-digit encryption?

• 10 trillion

• 10 billion

• 10 quadrillion

• 10 million

What is the length of keys used in today's secure communications?

• 128-bit

• 256-bit

• 512-bit

• 192-bit

What is it called when the sender and receiver share the same key to encrypt and decrypt a message?

• Public key encryption

• Symmetric encryption

• Asymmetric encryption

• Private key encryption

In asymmetric encryption, what is the public key used for?

• Encrypting data

• Both encrypting and decrypting data

• Storing data

• Decrypting data

What is the foundation of all secure messaging on the open internet?

• Symmetric encryption

• Public key cryptography

• Hashing

• Private key cryptography

What does the lock symbol or 'HTTPS' in a browser's address bar indicate?

• The website is using a firewall

• The website is not secure

• The website is using public key encryption

• The website is using symmetric encryption

Why will we need to develop new encryption methods in the future?

• Because computers will become slower

• Because computers will become faster

• Because encryption is no longer needed

• Because data will become less important