15.5.2 Encryption Facts

What is encryption?

A security technique that encodes data so only authorized users with a key can decode it

What is the purpose of encryption?

To protect data confidentiality from unauthorized access

What are the two main types of encryption?

Symmetric encryption and asymmetric encryption

What is symmetric encryption?

Encryption that uses a single shared key for both encryption and decryption

What is another name for symmetric encryption?

Secret key or private key encryption

Why is symmetric encryption fast?

It uses less CPU power than asymmetric encryption

What is a drawback of symmetric encryption?

Each communication pair requires a unique shared key

How is a symmetric key shared securely?

Through a secure channel or asymmetric encryption

What happens if a symmetric key is compromised?

All data using that key is no longer secure

What is asymmetric encryption?

Encryption that uses a public key and a private key pair

What is a key pair in asymmetric encryption?

A set of mathematically related public and private keys

What is the public key used for?

Encrypting data or verifying signatures

What is the private key used for?

Decrypting data or creating digital signatures

Can the public key decrypt data?

No, only the private key can decrypt data

Why is asymmetric encryption slower?

It is more CPU-intensive than symmetric encryption

What is DES?

An old symmetric encryption standard that is now considered weak

What is 3DES?

A stronger version of DES that applies encryption three times using a 168-bit key

What is AES?

Advanced Encryption Standard, a strong symmetric encryption method up to 256-bit keys

What is Blowfish?

A symmetric encryption algorithm designed as a DES replacement

What is RSA?

An asymmetric encryption standard based on large prime factorization

What key size does RSA support?

Typically 1,024 to 4,096 bits

What is DSA used for?

Digital signatures in asymmetric cryptography

What is Diffie-Hellman used for?

Key exchange over insecure networks

Does Diffie-Hellman provide encryption?

No, it only provides secure key agreement

What is a weakness of Diffie-Hellman?

It is vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks without authentication

What is the main strength of AES compared to DES?

AES uses stronger encryption and larger key sizes

What determines encryption strength in symmetric systems?

Key size in bits

What is the main security strength in asymmetric encryption?

The secrecy of the private key

What happens if a private key is compromised?

A new key pair must be generated immediately