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Mobiprep has created last-minute notes for all topics of Computer networks to help you with the revision of concepts for your university examinations. So let’s get started with the lecture notes on Computer networks.
Our team has curated a list of the most important questions asked in universities such as DU, DTU, VIT, SRM, IP, Pune University, Manipal University, and many more. The questions are created from the previous year's question papers of colleges and universities.
what is the difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption?
explain the mechanism of public and private key in terms of symmetric and asymmetric cyptography?
elaborate different security features provided by different layers of network architecture?
what role does firewall plays in web security? explain in details.
Web Security
Question 1) Explain various aspects of network safety?
Answer) The following are the various aspects of network security:
a. Access control
Access control involves the prevention of unauthorized users from accessing the network. It allows only the authorized users to use the network resources.
b. Authentication
Authentication is used to verify the identity of a person. Authentication of the network users is usually done using Login usernames and passwords.
c. Data integrity
Data integrity refers to the correctness or accuracy of data. In also involves protection of network resources from unauthorized access of data. It ensures the safety of data.
d. Data confidentiality
Data confidentiality enables only the permitted users to access the network data. The data is not accessible by unauthorized users.
Question 2) What is the difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption?
Answer)
Symmetric encryption | Asymmetric encryption |
In symmetric encryption, only one key is used | In asymmetric encryption, two keys are used (public key and private key) |
Both encryption and decryption is done using the same key. | Encryption is done using the public key and decryption is done using private key or vice versa. |
The key is known only to the sender and receiver. | The public key is known to all. The private is key is known only to the sender and receiver. |
It is less complex | It is more complex. |
Execution speed is fast. | Execution speed is slow. |
Example: DES, AES, RC4 etc. | Example: RSA, Diffie-Hellman algorithm etc. |
Question 3) Explain the mechanism of public and private key in terms of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography?
Answer) Public Key
The public key is the key that is disseminated to the public. It is used in asymmetric cryptography to encrypt the messages (at the sender). In asymmetric cryptography, only one private key is used. Here, Public key is not used.
Public key is slower than the private key. Public key is asymmetric as it cannot be used to encrypt and decrypt the messages. If public key is used for encryption, a private key should be used for decryption.
Private Key
The private key is kept as a secret. Only the sender and the receiver know the private key. It is much faster than the public key. It is used in symmetric cryptography for both encryption and decryption. It is used in asymmetric cryptography along with the public key. The private key is used for decryption at the receiver in asymmetric cryptography.
Question 4) How does a digital signature works?
Answer) The digital signature technique is used to ensure authenticity and integrity of the document or data. The working of digital signature technique is depicted using a flow diagram:
The digital signature technique uses a mathematical algorithm which generates two keys (a private key and a public key). When a user signs a document digitally, a cryptographic hash is generated for the document. The cryptographic hash is encrypted using the private key. The encrypted cryptographic hash and the public key are sent along with the document to the receiver.
The receiver decrypts the encrypted hash with the public key certificate and generates a cryptographic hash again. Both the sender’s and receiver’s hashes are compared. If there is a match between the hashes, the receiver will be able to access the document. Else, the user is not allowed to access or view the document.
Question 5) Elaborate different security features provided by different layers of network architecture?
Answer) APPLICATION LAYER
The application layer is responsible for authentication. It provides authentication by using Usernames and login passwords.
PRESENTATION LAYER
The presentation layer is responsible for data encryption. This layer scrambles the data, so that an unauthorized user cannot interpret the data easily.
SESSION LAYER
TRANSPORT LAYER
The transport layer is responsible for providing firewall security. It permits only the relevant data to enter the network. It blocks the malicious data packets.
NETWORK LAYER
The network layer is responsible for router security.
DATA LINK LAYER
The data link layer provides switch security. The data link layer protect the network from MAC flooding, ARP spoofing and spanning tree attack.
PHYSICAL LAYER
The physical layer provides access control. It allows only authorized users to access the network.
Question 6) What role does firewall plays in web security? explain in details.
Answer) A firewall is a network security device. It is used to monitor the outgoing and incoming network traffic. It acts as a line of defense in the network. A firewall can be in the form of software, hardware or both.
A firewall inspects all the incoming and outgoing data packets, and determines which data packets must be allowed to enter the network. It blocks the malicious and other harmful data traffic from entering the network. In other words, the firewall filters the network traffic.
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