Question

Which of the following statements is true of an encrypted file?

A) It can be easily accessed without a key.
B) It is vulnerable to unauthorized access.
C) It is a plain text file.
D) It requires a decryption key to access its contents.

Answer 1

The correct statement among the given options is that an encrypted file requires a decryption key to access its contents, thus providing enhanced security against unauthorized access.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the options provided regarding an encrypted file, the true statement is D) It requires a decryption key to access its contents. Encryption involves converting data into a coded form to prevent unauthorized access, ensuring that data remains confidential and is only accessible to users who possess the correct decryption key. An encrypted file is not a plain text file (C), as plain text is readable without any additional steps. It is also not easily accessed without a key (A), which is the purpose of encryption. While no method is completely impervious, encryption substantially reduces the vulnerability of files to unauthorized access (B), thereby increasing data security.