A Completely Secure Environment Is An Unusable Environment

A Completely Secure Environment Is An Unusable Environment For Usersh

A completely secure environment is an unusable environment for users. How can security work in an atmosphere that mandates usability over safeguards? Why is it important to use publicly known algorithms instead of proprietary algorithms that are unknown? Review some common websites to find areas that should use HTTPS instead of HTTP. Document why they should be encrypted and not transmitted in plain text. Define your values as they relate to cryptography. Is the use of cryptography always ethical? When would the use of cryptography not be ethical? 300+ words with citations. No-plag.

Paper For Above instruction

A fully secure environment often clashes with user-friendliness, raising the question of how security measures can be balanced with usability. An environment that prioritizes absolute security often becomes impractical for everyday use because overly stringent safeguards can hinder access and efficiency. For instance, requiring multiple layers of authentication or complex encryption could prevent users from quickly accessing resources, leading to frustration and decreased productivity (Anderson, 2020). Therefore, security protocols should aim for a balance—providing sufficient protection without excessively impairing usability. The concept of "security vs. usability" highlights the importance of designing systems that are sufficiently secure to deter threats while remaining accessible to legitimate users (Shostack, 2014).

Regarding cryptographic algorithms, the preference for publicly known algorithms over proprietary ones is rooted in security transparency and community scrutiny. Open algorithms such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) have undergone rigorous peer review, allowing experts worldwide to analyze potential vulnerabilities and enhance their robustness (Daemen & Rijmen, 2002). Proprietary algorithms, on the other hand, lack this peer scrutiny, often leading to undisclosed vulnerabilities that authorized adversaries might exploit. Using open algorithms fosters trust and ensures that cryptographic tools have been thoroughly vetted, reducing the risk of security failures rooted in undiscovered weaknesses.

Reviewing popular websites reveals numerous areas where HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) should replace HTTP. For example, login pages, e-commerce checkout systems, and banking portals must employ HTTPS to encrypt data transmitted between the user and the server (Zhao et al., 2018). Transmitting sensitive information—such as passwords, credit card details, and personal identifiers—in plain text exposes users to risks of eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, and data theft. Encryption via HTTPS ensures data confidentiality and integrity, preventing malicious actors from intercepting or tampering with sensitive information (Rescorla et al., 2018).

My personal values related to cryptography emphasize confidentiality, integrity, and ethical responsibility. Cryptography should serve to protect privacy and ensure trustworthiness in communications, especially in contexts such as healthcare, finance, and personal privacy. However, while cryptography has clear ethical uses, its application can become unethical under certain circumstances. For instance, governments or malicious entities might use cryptography to facilitate illegal activities like drug trafficking or terrorism, complicating law enforcement efforts (Ferguson et al., 2012). Furthermore, employing cryptography to conceal illicit conduct violates principles of transparency and accountability. Therefore, although cryptography itself is ethically neutral, its uses depend on context and intent; it must serve lawful, moral purposes that respect individual rights and societal norms.

In conclusion, balancing security and usability involves pragmatic design strategies that safeguard users without creating excessive barriers. Publicly known algorithms build trust through transparency and peer review, while ensures encryption protocols like HTTPS are ubiquitously adopted on websites to protect sensitive data. Cryptography, aligned with ethical standards, should aim to uphold privacy and security, but its misuse in illegal or morally questionable activities underscores the importance of context-aware application.

References

• Anderson, R. (2020). Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems. Wiley.
• Daemen, J., & Rijmen, V. (2002). The Design of Rijndael: AES—The Advanced Encryption Standard. Springer.
• Ferguson, N., Schneier, B., & Kohno, T. (2012). Cryptography Engineering: Design Principles and Practical Applications. Wiley.
• Rescorla, E., et al. (2018). The Transport Layer Security (TLS) Protocol Version 1.3. RFC 8446.
• Shostack, G. (2014). Threat Modeling: Designing for Security. Wiley.
• Zhao, H., et al. (2018). Improving HTTPS Deployment on Websites: An Empirical Study. Journal of Cyber Security Technology.