SSL Encryption Methods

DA.

The SSL (Secure Socket Layer) protocol is a cryptographic protocol that is used to provide secure communication over the internet. It is now superseded by the TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol, but both SSL and TLS use similar cryptographic methods to provide security to online communications. SSL/TLS protocols use the following methods to provide communication privacy, authentication, and message integrity:

1. Public Key Encryption: SSL/TLS uses public-key encryption to secure the initial key exchange between the client and the server. During this process, the server sends its public key to the client, which is then used to encrypt the symmetric key used for the session. This ensures that only the server can decrypt the key, which is used for the rest of the session. This ensures that the communication is private and cannot be intercepted by an attacker.

2. Symmetric Encryption: SSL/TLS also uses symmetric-key encryption to secure the data being transmitted during the session. Once the symmetric key has been exchanged using public-key encryption, the client and the server use the same key to encrypt and decrypt the data being transmitted. This ensures that the data is secure from interception by an attacker.

3. Message Authentication Codes (MACs): SSL/TLS also uses Message Authentication Codes (MACs) to ensure message integrity. MACs are used to detect any tampering or modifications made to the data being transmitted during the session. The MAC is calculated by hashing the data with a secret key, which is shared between the client and the server. If the data is tampered with during transmission, the MAC value will not match, and the receiver will know that the data has been modified.

Therefore, the correct answers are A (Public key) and D (Symmetric), as SSL/TLS protocol uses both public-key and symmetric-key encryption methods to provide communication privacy, authentication, and message integrity.