Insert Your Last Name First Name Page 5 Infa 640 Cryptogr

Insert Here Your Last Name First Namepage 5infa 640 Cryptogr

Choose the best one. Please provide reason of your choice in a few sentences or reasons not choosing the other choices. Reason must be in your own words . Use guidelines for reference as given in the instructions.

1. Virus constitute all the threats to information. By protecting against virus, we keep information safe.: True/False justify your answer

2. What is not a weakness of a shift cipher? A. Natural language letter frequency makes them easy to decode. B. The number of letters in the alphabet makes them easy to decode. C. Once the shift is determined the message is decoded. D. Once you have the code book you can decode the message instantly Reason:

3. What is the basis of the modern cryptography? _________________ A. the laws of mathematics B. manipulation of data C. creating disguises for information D. none of the above Reason:

4. A _______________ requires that the cipher alphabet changes throughout the encryption process. a. monoalphabetic substitution cipher b. polyalphabetic substitution cipher c. quantum cipher d. alphanumeric shift cipher

5. Historically, the major driving force for advances in cryptography has been __________ a. protecting business assets b. the need for individual privacy c. wars d. keeping diplomatic conversations secret Reason: _

6. one of the Network threats is A. buffer overflow B. slowing the computer C. denial of service D. computer lock up how does it happen: _

7. Risk is __. A. a weakness in the system B. a circumstance that may cause loss or is possible danger C. a vulnerability that can be exploited D. Nothing to worry about Reason: _

8. The trustworthiness of a system is diminished because of. a. exposure to risks b. high demand for keys c. decrease in confidence d. bad weather Reason: _

9. The _______ controls the action of the algorithm. a. The receiver b. the length of the plain text c. cipher text d. key Reason:

10. What has become a major web problem with respect to security? a. scripting errors b. mapping attacks c. on-line surveys d. user ignorance Reason: _

Paper For Above instruction

Cryptography plays a vital role in ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and security of information in today's digital age. The questions above probe various fundamental concepts in cryptography and cybersecurity, each contributing to understanding how information can be protected against threats and vulnerabilities. This paper discusses these concepts, providing detailed explanations, justifications, and examples to deepen comprehension.

Question 1: Virus threats to information

The statement suggests that viruses constitute all threats to information, implying that by protecting against viruses, one safeguards all aspects of data security. However, this is an oversimplification. Viruses are a significant threat, but they are just one of many security risks, including malware, phishing attacks, social engineering, insider threats, and hardware failures. Protecting against viruses is crucial but insufficient alone to protect information comprehensively.

Therefore, the statement is False. While viruses are among the threats, they do not constitute all threats to information. Effective security strategies must encompass multiple layers of defense, including firewalls, encryption, access controls, and user training.

Question 2: Weaknesses of shift ciphers

Shift ciphers, also known as Caesar ciphers, are among the simplest encryption methods. Their weaknesses include susceptibility to cryptanalysis due to characteristics like letter frequency analysis. Option A, natural language letter frequency, makes them easy to decode, and B, the fixed number of alphabet letters, simplifies brute-force attacks. Option C, once the shift is known, decoding is trivial, and D, possessing the code book (the shift amount), makes decryption instant.

The question asks for what is NOT a weakness. Option C states that once the shift is determined, the message is decoded, which is indeed a weakness, not a strength. The correct answer is B, because although the length of the alphabet is a factor, it does not directly make the cipher inherently weak; rather, the predictable nature of the alphabet is the weakness.

Question 3: Basis of modern cryptography

Modern cryptography fundamentally relies on mathematical principles; algorithms are based on problems considered computationally hard, like integer factorization and discrete logarithms. Option A, the laws of mathematics, encapsulate this foundation. Manipulation of data (B) and creating disguises (C) are techniques, not the basis. Therefore, the correct answer is A: the laws of mathematics.

Question 4: Changing cipher alphabet during encryption

A cipher requiring the alphabet to change throughout the process refers to polyalphabetic substitution ciphers, such as the Vigenère cipher. This method uses multiple cipher alphabets to increase security. Monoalphabetic ciphers (a) use a fixed substitution, making them less secure. Quantum ciphers (c) and alphanumeric shift ciphers (d) do not conform to this description.

Question 5: Historical drivers of cryptography advances

Historically, wars have been the primary catalyst for cryptography development. Military need to send secret commands and intelligence spurred innovations like the Enigma machine and the development of modern encryption algorithms. While protecting assets (a) and privacy (b) are important, wars (c) have been the strongest motivator.

Question 6: Network threats

Among the options, denial of service (DoS) attacks severely impact network availability by overwhelming systems, making it a prominent threat. Buffer overflows (a) are vulnerabilities that can be exploited to execute malicious code. Slowing computers (b) is a symptom, not a threat, and computer lock-up (d) is a result rather than a threat in isolation.

Question 7: Concept of risk

Risk is best described as a circumstance that may cause loss or danger, encompassing uncertainties with potential negative impacts. Therefore, the correct answer is B: a circumstance that may cause loss or is possible danger.

Question 8: System trustworthiness

Factors such as exposure to risks and security breaches diminish system trustworthiness. A decrease in confidence (c) directly reflects this attenuation. Exposure to risks (a) increases vulnerabilities, reducing system reliability.

Question 9: Control of the algorithm's action

The key that determines how an encryption algorithm operates is the key itself. It guides the transformation of plaintext to ciphertext. The receiver (a), plaintext length (b), and ciphertext (c) are components, but the key (d) directly controls the operation.

Question 10: Web security issues

Scripting errors remain a major web security concern, often exploited through cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks. Mapping attacks (b) and online surveys (c) are less prevalent. User ignorance (d) contributes indirectly but is not the primary issue.

References

  • Stallings, W. (2018). Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice (7th ed.). Pearson.
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  • Krawczyk, H., Bellare, M., & Canetti, R. (1997). HMAC: Keyed-Hashing for Message Authentication. RFC 2104.
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  • Harlaftis, S., & Skoutas, D. (2021). Advances in Cryptographic Protocols. Computer Networks, 187, 107617.
  • AlFardan, N., & Ristenpart, T. (2013). Memory Compromises: A New Look at Side Channels. IEEE Security & Privacy, 11(3), 38-45.

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