3.3: Cryptography Flashcards
(18 cards)
Encryption
The process of transforming plaintext into ciphertext.
plaintext
Encryption is the act of hiding information in plain sight. read by anyone who has access to it.
Ciphertext
A message, file, or stream of data that has been transformed by an encryption algorithm and rendered unreadable.
Hash function
A cryptographic operation on a block of data that returns a fixed-length string of characters, used to verify the integrity of a message.
Message Digest
The output of a cryptographic function
Digital signature
The result of encrypting the hash of a message with the originator’s private encryption key, used to prove the authenticity and integrity of a message.
Algorithm
A specific mathematical formula that is used to perform encryption, decryption, message digests, and digital signatures.
Decryption
The process of transforming ciphertext into plaintext so that a recipient can read it.
Cryptanalysis
An attack on a cryptosystem where the attacker is attempting to determine the encryption key that is used to encrypt messages.
Encryption key
A block of characters, used in combination with an encryption algorithm, used to encrypt or decrypt a stream or blocks of data. An encryption key is also used to create and verify a digital signature.
Key encrypting key
An encryption key that is used to encrypt another encryption key.
Block cipher
An encryption algorithm that operates on blocks of data.
Stream cipher
A type of encryption algorithm that operates on a continuous stream of data such as a video or audio feed.
• Initialization vector (IV)
A random number that is needed by some encryption algorithms to begin the encryption process.
• Symmetric encryption
Symmetric encryption refers to those methods where the same key is used to encrypt and decrypt the plaintext.
• Asymmetric encryption , or public key cryptography A .
A method for encryption, decryption, and digital signatures that uses pairs of encryption keys, consisting of a public key and a private key .
• Key exchange
A technique that is used by two parties to establish a symmetric encryption key when there is no secure channel available.
• Nonrepudiation
The property of digital signatures and encryption that can make it difficult or impossible for a party to later deny having sent a digitally signed message, unless they admit to having lost control of their private encryption key.
