Symmetric Algorithms

Question 1

What is Data Encryption Standard (DES)?

Answer 1

Encryption algorithm which breaks the input into 64-bit blocks and uses transportation and substitution to create ciphertext using an effective key strength of only 56-bits

Question 2

What is Triple DES (3DES)?

Answer 2

Encryption algorithm which uses three separate symmetric keys to encrypt, decrypt, then encrypt the plaintext into ciphertext in order to increase the strength of DES

Question 3

What is the International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA)?

Answer 3

Symmetric block cipher, which uses 64-bit blocks to encrypt plaintext into ciphertext

Question 4

What is the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)?

Answer 4

Symmetric block cipher that uses 128-bit, 192-bit, or 256-bit blocks and a matching encryption key size to encrypt plaintext into ciphertext

Question 5

What is Blowfish?

Answer 5

Symmetric block cipher that uses 64-bit blocks and a variable length encryption key to encrypt plaintext into ciphertext

Question 6

What is Twofish?

Answer 6

Provides the ability to use 128-bit blocks in its encryption algorithm and uses 128-bit, 192-bit, or 256-bit encryption keys

Question 7

What is the RC Cipher Suite?

Answer 7

Created by Ron Riverest, a cryptographer who’s created six algorithms under the name RC which stands for the Riverest Cipher

Question 8

What is RC4?

Answer 8

Symmetric stream cipher using a variable key size from 40-bits to 2,048-bits that is used in Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Wired Equivalent (WEP)

Question 9

What is RC5?

Answer 9

Symmetric block cipher that uses key sizes up to 2,048-bits

Question 10

What is RC6?

Answer 10

Symmetric block cipher that was based on the RC5, but is a stronger, more advanced version