Question

An ______________ is a fixed-size input to a cryptographic primitive that is random or pseudo-random. It is added to a cryptographic algorithm and key in order to increase the randomness of the resultant cipher text. A) Initialization Vector (IV)

B) Digital Signature

C) Public Key

D) Salt

Answer 1

The correct answer is A) Initialization Vector (IV), which is a fixed-size input added to a cryptographic algorithm to enhance the randomness of ciphertext and prevent patterns when encrypting similar plaintext messages multiple times with the same key.

Step-by-step explanation:

An Initialization Vector (IV) is a fixed-size input to a cryptographic primitive that is random or pseudo-random. It is an important concept in cryptography that deals with enhancing the security of data encryption. When used in a cryptographic algorithm along with a key, the IV increases the randomness of the resultant ciphertext. This prevents patterns from emerging, especially when the same plaintext message is encrypted multiple times with the same key.

The other options provided: B) Digital Signature, C) Public Key, and D) Salt have their own distinct roles in cryptography but do not fit the definition of a random or pseudo-random fixed-size input that is used to increase the randomness of ciphertext. Therefore, the correct answer is A) Initialization Vector (IV).