Encryption Methods for Secure E-Commerce Websites

Which Encryption Method to Use for a Simple Security Solution

Question

Sam is creating an e-commerce site.

He wants a simple security solution that does not require each customer to have an individual key.

Which of the following encryption methods will he use?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

B.

Sam wants a simple security solution that does not require each customer to have an individual key for his e-commerce site. Encryption is a process of encoding information in such a way that only authorized parties can access it.

There are two main types of encryption methods:

  1. Symmetric Encryption: In Symmetric encryption, the same key is used for both encryption and decryption of the message. It means that both sender and receiver have the same key to decrypt and read the message.

If Sam uses Symmetric encryption for his e-commerce site, then he would need to share the same key with all customers, which could be a security risk. Therefore, Symmetric encryption is not a suitable option for Sam's requirement.

  1. Asymmetric Encryption: In Asymmetric encryption, two keys are used: a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. The public key can be shared with anyone, while the private key is kept secret by the owner.

If Sam uses Asymmetric encryption, he can provide the public key to all customers, and only he will have the private key. This means that customers can send their sensitive data securely, and Sam can decrypt it using his private key. Therefore, Asymmetric encryption is a suitable option for Sam's requirement.

  1. S/MIME: S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) is a protocol for securing email messages using encryption and digital signatures. It provides authentication, confidentiality, and message integrity. While S/MIME can be used for e-commerce sites, it is mainly designed for securing email communications.

  2. PGP: PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) is a data encryption and decryption program used for email encryption and file encryption. It uses both symmetric and asymmetric encryption methods. While PGP can be used for e-commerce sites, it is mainly designed for securing email communications.

In conclusion, Sam should use Asymmetric encryption to secure his e-commerce site, as it will provide a simple security solution that does not require each customer to have an individual key.