In the context of encryption, a key is
A) A well-defined sequence of steps used to describe cryptographic processes
B) An encryption method that uses no keys
C) A sequence of symbols that controls the operations of encipherment and decipherment
D) Text that is unintelligible to the reader

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In encryption, a key is a sequence of symbols that is used to control or direct the process of encipherment and decipherment. It determines how the plaintext is encrypted into ciphertext and how the ciphertext is decrypted back to plaintext. The key could be a string of characters, numbers, or any other symbol system, depending on the encryption algorithm being used. Without the correct key, the plaintext cannot be recovered from the ciphertext, making keys a critical component of encryption systems. None of the other options accurately describe what a key is in the context of encryption.

In the Context of Encryption, a Key Is