During the process of encryption and decryption, what keys are shared?

Question

Options

• APrivate keys
• BUser passwords
• CPublic keys
• DPublic and private keys

• A
  7% (2)
• B
  4% (1)
• C
  89% (25)

Explanation

Public keys (C) are the keys that are shared during encryption and decryption processes. In asymmetric (public-key) cryptography, a sender uses the recipient's public key to encrypt a message, which can only be decrypted using the recipient's corresponding private key - making it safe to share the public key openly with anyone.

Why the other options are wrong:

• (A) Private keys are never shared; they are kept secret by the owner, as exposing them would compromise all encrypted communications.
• (B) User passwords are authentication credentials, not cryptographic keys used in the encryption/decryption process itself.
• (D) Public and private keys is incorrect because while both keys are used in the process, only the public key is shared - the private key remains confidential.

Memory tip: Think of a public key like a padlock that anyone can use to lock (encrypt) a message, while the private key is the unique key only you possess to unlock (decrypt) it - you'd freely hand out padlocks, but never give away your key!

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