Q: What do we call a bit of information that allows authentication of a received message?
or
Q: What term do we use to describe a piece of data that enables message authentication upon receipt?
- Asymmetric encryption
- RSA
- Symmetric encryption
- MAC (Message Authentication Codes)
Explanation: That magical bit of information is called a “digital signature.” It is comparable to a digital seal that is placed on a communication and serves the dual purpose of confirming the identity of the sender while also protecting the confidentiality of the message. When someone signs a message using their private key, other people may use the signer’s public key to verify that the message originated from the correct owner and has not been altered in any way. This ensures that the message cannot be falsely attributed to someone else. It serves the same purpose as a fancy wax seal would on an important letter, assuring that the document is genuine and has not been tampered with by anybody who could be looking in on it.
