Are substitution ciphers an example of asymmetric ciphers?
Substitution ciphers are a type of classical cryptographic technique that have been used for centuries to encrypt messages. In the context of cryptographic methods, they fall under the category of symmetric ciphers rather than asymmetric ciphers. To understand why this is the case, it is essential to consider the definitions and characteristics of symmetric and
Are public keys transferred secretly in RSA?
The RSA cryptosystem, named after its inventors Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman, is a cornerstone of public-key cryptography. It is widely used to secure sensitive data transmitted over the internet. One of the most intriguing aspects of RSA is its use of a pair of keys: a public key, which can be shared openly, and a
How many keys are used by the RSA cryptosystem?
The RSA cryptosystem, named after its inventors Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman, is a widely utilized form of public-key cryptography. This system fundamentally revolves around the use of two distinct but mathematically linked keys: the public key and the private key. Each of these keys plays a critical role in the encryption and decryption processes, ensuring
- Published in Cybersecurity, EITC/IS/CCF Classical Cryptography Fundamentals, Introduction to public-key cryptography, The RSA cryptosystem and efficient exponentiation
What condition does it take for the Affine Cipher to work?
The Affine Cipher is a type of monoalphabetic substitution cipher, where each letter in an alphabet is mapped to its numeric equivalent, encrypted using a simple mathematical function, and then converted back to a letter. The encryption function for a letter is given by: Here, is the numeric equivalent of a letter, and
- Published in Cybersecurity, EITC/IS/CCF Classical Cryptography Fundamentals, History of cryptography, Modular arithmetic and historical ciphers
Do practical stream ciphers generate their keys with psuedo random number generators?
Stream ciphers are a fundamental concept within the realm of classical cryptography. They are encryption algorithms that encrypt plaintext digits one at a time, typically by combining them with a pseudorandom cipher digit stream. This process is distinct from block ciphers, which encrypt data in fixed-size blocks. The question at hand pertains to whether practical
- Published in Cybersecurity, EITC/IS/CCF Classical Cryptography Fundamentals, Stream ciphers, Stream ciphers, random numbers and the one-time pad
What are the key differences between digital signatures and traditional handwritten signatures in terms of security and verification?
Digital signatures and traditional handwritten signatures serve the purpose of authentication, but they differ significantly in terms of security and verification mechanisms. Understanding these differences is important for appreciating the advancements digital signatures bring to modern cybersecurity. 1. Nature and Creation: Traditional handwritten signatures are created by physically signing a document with a pen. This
In the context of public-key cryptography, how do the roles of the public key and private key differ in the RSA cryptosystem, and why is it important that the private key remains confidential?
In the realm of public-key cryptography, the RSA cryptosystem stands as one of the most renowned and widely implemented cryptographic protocols. The RSA algorithm, named after its inventors Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman, is fundamentally based on the mathematical difficulty of factoring large composite numbers. Its security hinges on the computational complexity of this problem, which
- Published in Cybersecurity, EITC/IS/CCF Classical Cryptography Fundamentals, Introduction to public-key cryptography, The RSA cryptosystem and efficient exponentiation, Examination review
What are the steps involved in the key generation process of the RSA cryptosystem, and why is the selection of large prime numbers crucial?
The RSA cryptosystem, named after its inventors Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman, is a cornerstone of public-key cryptography. The process of key generation in RSA involves several critical steps, each contributing to the security and functionality of the system. The selection of large prime numbers is fundamental to the strength of RSA encryption, as it directly
How does the RSA cryptosystem address the problem of secure key distribution that is inherent in symmetric cryptographic systems?
The RSA cryptosystem, named after its inventors Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman, is a cornerstone of modern public-key cryptography. One of the primary challenges in symmetric cryptographic systems is the secure distribution of keys. Symmetric systems require both the sender and the receiver to share a secret key, which must be exchanged securely before any encrypted
How does Euler's Theorem relate to the RSA encryption algorithm, and why is it fundamental to the security of RSA?
Euler's Theorem is a critical component in the realm of number theory, and it plays a pivotal role in the RSA encryption algorithm, which is a cornerstone of modern public-key cryptography. To understand the relationship between Euler's Theorem and RSA, it is essential to consider the mathematical foundations that underpin RSA and examine how these

