In cryptography, what is a digital signature used for?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To start, let’s restate the question and the options to ensure clarity about what’s being evaluated.
Question: In cryptography, what is a digital signature used for?
Options:
- a. Generating random keys for symmetric encryption
- b. Verifying the authenticity and integrity of a message
- c. Encrypting sensitive data
- d. Decrypting encrypted messages

Now, evaluate each choice one by one with reasoning:
Option a: Generating random keys for symmetric encryption. This describes key generation rather than signing. Digital signatures do not involve producing random keys for symmetric ciphers; symmetric key generation is typically handled by key exchange protocols or random number generators, but that is not the purpose of a digital signature. Therefore this option mischaracterizes the role of signatures and is incorrect.

Option b: Verifying the authenticity and integrity of a message. This aligns with the fundamental purpose of a digital signature. A signature binds the signer’s private key to the message, allowing recipients to verify that the message came from the claimed sender (authenticity) and that the message has not been altered since it was signed (integrity) using the corresponding public key. This option captures the essential function of digital signatures in ensuring non-repudiation alongside integrity and authenticity. Hence this option is correct in concept.

Option c: Encrypting sensitive data. Encryption of data is the core activity of encryption algorithms, not the signature process. While signatures may be part of a broader security workflow that involves encryption, the act of encrypting data is distinct from signing. Therefore, this option describes a different cryptographic operation and is not the purpose of a digital signature, making it incorrect.

Option d: Decrypting encrypted messages. Decryption is the counterpart to encryption and requires a private key (depending on the scheme); however, a digital signature is not used to decrypt messages. Decryption serves confidentiality, whereas signatures serve authentication and integrity. This option confuses the roles of encryption and signing, so it is incorrect.

In summary, option b accurately reflects the intended use of a digital signature by enabling verification of who signed the message and ensuring the message has not been altered. The other options describe other cryptographic tasks (key generation, encryption, decryption) that are not the purpose of digital signatures, and thus they do not match the signature’s role.

Introduction to Security and Forensic Technologies (CT046-3-1-ISFT-25-RESIT)

In cryptography, what is a digital signature used for?

查看解析

登录即可查看完整答案

类似问题

In Bitcoin and in Ethereum, when a user sends a transaction the transaction is

I would like to sign a transactions Tx with public key cryptography. Which one of the following is the correct way to sign Tx?

位置36的问题 On the multisig, multiple users have to X to verify and ultimately execute a transaction to be sent to the blockchain - (Select X):EncryptTransferCommitSign

Which of the following security principles do digital signatures NOT provide? Please select all that apply.

When using a digital signature, the sender encrypts the message with their private key and the recipient decrypts the message with the sender's public key.

When receiving a document that has been digitally signed, you can test to ensure that the document was _ and the _ was who you expected it to be sent from.

更多留学生实用工具

考试浏览器助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单

Introduction to Security and Forensic Technologies (CT046-3-1-ISFT-25-RESIT)

In cryptography, what is a digital signature used for?

查看解析

登录即可查看完整答案

类似问题

In Bitcoin and in Ethereum, when a user sends a transaction the transaction is

I would like to sign a transactions Tx with public key cryptography. Which one of the following is the correct way to sign Tx?

位置36的问题 On the multisig, multiple users have to X to verify and ultimately execute a transaction to be sent to the blockchain - (Select X):EncryptTransferCommitSign

Which of the following security principles do digital signatures NOT provide? Please select all that apply.

When using a digital signature, the sender encrypts the message with their private key and the recipient decrypts the message with the sender's public key.

When receiving a document that has been digitally signed, you can test to ensure that the document was _________ and the _________ was who you expected it to be sent from.

更多留学生实用工具

考试浏览器助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单

When receiving a document that has been digitally signed, you can test to ensure that the document was _ and the _ was who you expected it to be sent from.