Final answer:
MAC in cryptography refers to Message Authentication Code, which ensures the authenticity and integrity of a message transmitted between parties by using a secret key. Option C is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
In cryptography, MAC stands for Message Authentication Code. This is a short piece of information that is used to authenticate a message and to provide integrity and authenticity assurances.
A MAC is generated by an algorithm that combines a secret key with the message content and is typically sent along with the message so that the receiver can authenticate the message upon receipt. The MAC protects both a message's data integrity as well as its authenticity by allowing verifiers (who also possess the secret key) to detect any changes to the message content.
The acronym MAC, as it relates to cryptography, stands for Message Authentication Code. A Message Authentication Code is a cryptographic value that is used to verify the integrity and authenticity of a message. It is generated by combining a secret key and the message itself using a specific algorithm, such as HMAC (Hash-based Message Authentication Code).