1.
Steganography can use image files, audio files, or even video files to contain hidden information.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Steganography is a technique used to hide information within other files without arousing suspicion. It can utilize various types of files such as images, audio files, or video files as carriers for the hidden information. This allows the secret data to be concealed within the content of these files, making it difficult to detect. Therefore, the statement that steganography can use image files, audio files, or video files to contain hidden information is true.
2.
A hash that is created from a set of data can be reversed.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
A hash that is created from a set of data cannot be reversed because hashing is a one-way process. A hash function takes input data and generates a unique fixed-size string of characters, which is the hash value. It is designed to be computationally infeasible to reverse this process and obtain the original data from the hash value. Therefore, it is not possible to reverse a hash and retrieve the original data.
3.
Cryptography cannot be applied to entire disks.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Cryptography can indeed be applied to entire disks. Full disk encryption is a common practice where the entire contents of a disk, including the operating system and all files, are encrypted to protect them from unauthorized access. This ensures that even if the disk is lost or stolen, the data remains secure. Cryptographic algorithms such as AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) are used to encrypt the disk, and the decryption key is required to access the data.
4.
Self-encrypting HDD is commonly found in copiers and multifunction printers as well as point-of-sale systems used in government, financial, and medical environments.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Self-encrypting HDDs are indeed commonly found in copiers, multifunction printers, and point-of-sale systems used in government, financial, and medical environments. These devices handle sensitive information and require secure storage to protect the data from unauthorized access. Self-encrypting HDDs provide an additional layer of security by automatically encrypting the data stored on the drive, ensuring that even if the drive is stolen or compromised, the data remains protected. Therefore, the statement "Self-encrypting HDD is commonly found in copiers and multifunction printers as well as point-of-sale systems used in government, financial, and medical environments" is true.
5.
Most HSMs are PAN-based appliances that can provide services to multiple devices.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The statement is false because most HSMs are not PAN-based appliances. HSMs, or Hardware Security Modules, are devices that provide secure storage and management of cryptographic keys and perform cryptographic operations. While they can provide services to multiple devices, they are not necessarily PAN-based appliances.
6.
One of the most famous ancient cryptographers was ____.
Correct Answer
C. Julius Caesar
Explanation
Julius Caesar is the correct answer because he is known for his use of a substitution cipher, known as the Caesar cipher, which involves shifting each letter of the alphabet a certain number of places. This method of encryption was used by Caesar to communicate confidential information during his military campaigns. Caesar's use of cryptography made him one of the most famous ancient cryptographers.
7.
____ is text that has no formatting (such as bolding or underlining) applied.
Correct Answer
B. Plain text
Explanation
Plain text refers to text that has no formatting applied, such as bolding or underlining. It is the simplest form of text and does not include any special formatting or styling. This term is commonly used in computer science and refers to the basic, unaltered representation of text.
8.
ensures that the information is correct and no unauthorized person or malicious software has altered that data.
Correct Answer
D. Integrity
Explanation
Integrity ensures that the information is correct and has not been tampered with by unauthorized individuals or malicious software. It guarantees the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data, ensuring that it remains unchanged during storage, transmission, and processing. By implementing measures such as data validation, checksums, and access controls, integrity safeguards the data's integrity and prevents unauthorized modifications or alterations.
9.
The most basic type of cryptographic algorithm is a ____ algorithm.
Correct Answer
A. Hash
Explanation
A hash algorithm is the most basic type of cryptographic algorithm. It takes an input, such as a message or data, and produces a fixed-size string of characters, known as a hash value or hash code. This hash value is unique to the input data, meaning even a small change in the input will result in a significantly different hash value. Hash algorithms are commonly used for data integrity checks, password storage, and digital signatures. They are fast and efficient, making them ideal for many cryptographic applications.
10.
____ takes plaintext of any length and creates a hash 128 bits long.
Correct Answer
D. MD2
Explanation
MD2 is a cryptographic hash function that takes plaintext of any length and generates a fixed-length hash value of 128 bits. It is an outdated algorithm and is no longer considered secure due to its vulnerability to various attacks. However, it was widely used in the past for applications like checksums and digital signatures.
11.
In MD5, the length of a message is padded to ____ bits.
Correct Answer
D. 512
Explanation
In MD5, the length of a message is padded to 512 bits. Padding is done to ensure that the message length is a multiple of 512 bits before the hashing process begins. This padding ensures that the message can be divided into blocks of equal size for processing. The padding scheme adds additional bits to the end of the message, including a 1 bit followed by zeros, and then appends the length of the original message in bits. This ensures that the final padded message is a multiple of 512 bits.
12.
____ is a relatively recent cryptographic hash function that has received international recognition and adoption by standards organizations, including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Correct Answer
C. Whirlpool
Explanation
Whirlpool is the correct answer because it is a relatively recent cryptographic hash function that has gained international recognition and adoption by standards organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The other options, Twofish, Blowfish, and Rijndal, are not cryptographic hash functions and do not have the same level of recognition and adoption as Whirlpool.
13.
Symmetric encryption is also called ____ cryptography.
Correct Answer
A. Private key
Explanation
Symmetric encryption is a type of cryptography where the same key is used for both the encryption and decryption processes. This key is known as the private key, as it is kept secret and only known to the parties involved in the communication. The private key ensures that the information remains confidential and secure. Therefore, the correct answer is "private key."
14.
The simplest type of stream cipher is a ____ cipher.
Correct Answer
B. Substitution
Explanation
A substitution cipher is the simplest type of stream cipher because it replaces each plaintext character with a corresponding ciphertext character based on a fixed rule or key. In this type of cipher, there is a one-to-one mapping between the plaintext and ciphertext characters, making it straightforward to encrypt and decrypt the message. This differs from other types of stream ciphers like shift ciphers, which simply shift the characters by a fixed number of positions, or loop ciphers, which repeat a fixed sequence of characters. A substitution cipher offers a basic level of security but can be easily broken with frequency analysis.
15.
A ____ cipher rearranges letters without changing them.
Correct Answer
D. Transposition
Explanation
A transposition cipher rearranges the letters of a message without changing them. This means that the original letters remain the same, but their order is altered. In contrast, a substitution cipher replaces letters with different ones. Block and loop ciphers are not relevant to the given description.
16.
____ is designed to replace DES.
Correct Answer
C. 3DES
Explanation
3DES, also known as Triple DES, is designed to replace DES (Data Encryption Standard). DES was a widely used symmetric encryption algorithm, but it was becoming increasingly vulnerable to attacks due to its small key size. 3DES was developed as a more secure alternative by applying the DES algorithm three times using different keys. This significantly increases the key size and enhances the security of the encryption. Therefore, 3DES was designed as a replacement for DES to provide stronger encryption capabilities.
17.
The____ is a symmetric cipher that was approved by the NIST in late 2000 as a replacement for DES.
Correct Answer
A. AES
Explanation
AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is the correct answer because it is a symmetric cipher that was indeed approved by the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) in late 2000 as a replacement for DES (Data Encryption Standard). AES is widely used for secure encryption and is considered to be highly secure and efficient. 3DES, RSA, and Twofish are also encryption algorithms, but they were not specifically chosen by the NIST as a replacement for DES.
18.
The algorithm ____ is a block cipher that operates on 64-bit blocks and can have a key length from 32 to 448 bits.
Correct Answer
C. Blowfish
Explanation
Blowfish is a block cipher algorithm that operates on 64-bit blocks and can have a key length ranging from 32 to 448 bits. It was designed by Bruce Schneier in 1993 as a fast and secure alternative to existing encryption algorithms. Blowfish uses a Feistel network structure and performs multiple rounds of encryption and decryption. It is widely used in various applications and has been extensively analyzed for security. Therefore, Blowfish is the correct answer for this question.
19.
Encryption uses two keys instead of only one and these keys are mathematically related.
Correct Answer
B. Asymmetric
Explanation
The given explanation suggests that the encryption method being referred to uses two keys that are mathematically related. This is a characteristic of asymmetric encryption, where one key is used to encrypt the data and a different but related key is used to decrypt it. In contrast, symmetric encryption uses only one key for both encryption and decryption. Shared and public key encryption methods do not necessarily involve the use of two mathematically related keys. Therefore, the correct answer is asymmetric.
20.
The basis for a digital signature rests on the ability of ____ keys to work in both directions.
Correct Answer
D. Asymmetric
Explanation
Digital signatures rely on asymmetric keys, also known as public-private key pairs, to work in both directions. In asymmetric encryption, two different keys are used - a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. The sender uses the recipient's public key to encrypt the message, and the recipient uses their private key to decrypt it. This ensures the authenticity and integrity of the message, as only the private key holder can decrypt and verify the digital signature. Symmetric keys, shared keys, or unique keys do not have the necessary properties to support digital signatures.
21.
The ____ algorithm is the most common asymmetric cryptography algorithm and is the basis for several products.
Correct Answer
B. RSA
Explanation
RSA is the correct answer because it is the most common asymmetric cryptography algorithm. It is widely used for secure communication and digital signatures. RSA is the basis for several products and is known for its security and efficiency in encrypting and decrypting data. AES, Twofish, and Blowfish are symmetric encryption algorithms, which means they use the same key for encryption and decryption, unlike RSA which uses different keys for each operation.
22.
A ____ is a number divisible only by itself and 1.
Correct Answer
A. Prime number
Explanation
A prime number is a number that can only be divided evenly by itself and 1. It cannot be divided by any other number without leaving a remainder. This definition excludes numbers that are divisible by any other numbers, making "prime number" the correct answer.
23.
was first proposed in the mid-1980s and it uses sloping curves.
Correct Answer
C. ECC
Explanation
ECC stands for Elliptic Curve Cryptography. It was first proposed in the mid-1980s and it uses sloping curves. ECC is a public key encryption method that is based on the mathematics of elliptic curves. It is known for its efficiency and strong security, making it suitable for various applications such as secure communication and digital signatures.
24.
____ attempts to use the unusual and unique behavior of microscopic objects to enable users to securely develop and share keys as well as to detect eavesdropping.
Correct Answer
D. Quantum cryptograpHy
Explanation
Quantum cryptography is the correct answer because it utilizes the unusual behavior of microscopic objects to ensure secure key development and sharing, as well as to detect any potential eavesdropping. This field of cryptography leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to provide a high level of security, as any attempt to intercept or measure the quantum states being used for encryption would cause detectable disturbances. This makes it highly resistant to hacking and eavesdropping attempts, making it an ideal solution for secure communication.
25.
NTRUEncrypt uses ____ cryptography that relies on a set of points in space.
Correct Answer
B. Lattice-based
Explanation
NTRUEncrypt uses lattice-based cryptography that relies on a set of points in space. Lattice-based cryptography is a type of encryption that is resistant to attacks from quantum computers. It involves the use of mathematical structures called lattices, which are sets of points in space that are arranged in a regular pattern. These lattices provide the basis for the encryption algorithms used in NTRUEncrypt, making it a secure and efficient method for protecting sensitive information.
26.
The ____ is essentially a chip on the motherboard of the computer that provides cryptographic services.
Correct Answer
A. TPM
Explanation
The correct answer is TPM. TPM stands for Trusted Platform Module, which is a chip on the motherboard of a computer that provides cryptographic services. It is responsible for storing and generating cryptographic keys, as well as performing encryption and decryption operations. The TPM enhances the security of the computer system by ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of data and protecting against unauthorized access or tampering.