6.07 Cryptography: Securing the Internet

6.7 Cryptography: Securing the Internet Curriculum Page

1. Explain in your own words how public key encryption is not symmetric.
   • Public key encryption is not symmetric because only individuals with the private key can decrypt the message that was sent. Despite this, anyone can encrypt a message with a public key. (Doesn't use the same key for the encryption and decryption)
2. Cryptography relies on open standards - a protocol or standard that is publicly available. Why are open standards necessary?
   • Open standards are necessary because they enable browsers to communicate and use encryption. If open standards didn't exist, browsers would not be able to encrypt or decrypt messages that are sent and received over the internet.