A One-Time Pad in Cryptography

Understanding the One-Time Pad

One-time pad is a method used in cryptography where a message is encrypted using a randomly generated private key just once before being decrypted by the recipient using a one-time pad and key that match.

Benefits of Using a One-Time Pad

The benefit of using randomness-based keys for message encryption is that there is theoretically no way to crack the code by looking at a series of messages. It is impossible to spot a pattern because every encryption is distinct from the others and has no connection to the one after it. The question of how to properly provide the key to the decrypting party or how to keep both keys private arises when using a one-time pad since the decrypting party must have access to the same key that was used to encrypt the message.

A one-time pad (select 2 answers, 1 point each): a. Uses a random stream of bits for its key b. Can re-use key sequences without weakening the cipher c. Is commonly used for different types of encryption d. Is theoretically impossible to crack Option a and c is correct. A one-time pad uses a random stream of bits for its key, and is commonly used for different types of encryption.
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