Applied Cryptography (APRYP) Assignment Questions
UNIT I : Protocol Building Blocks, Basic Protocols, Advanced Protocols- Zero
Knowledge Proofs, Zero-Knowledge Proofs of Identity, Blind Signatures, Identity-Based
Public-Key Cryptography, Key Length, Key Management.
1. Explain the essential protocol building blocks used in cryptographic protocol design.
2. Describe any two basic cryptographic protocols and discuss their applications.
3. Explain the concept of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP) with a suitable example.
4. Discuss Zero-Knowledge Proofs of Identity and explain how they enhance authentication security.
5. Explain the idea of Blind Signatures and describe one practical application.
6. Write short notes on:
(a) Identity-Based Public-Key Cryptography
(b) Key Length and Key Management
UNIT II : Electronic Codebook Mode, Block Replay, Cipher Block Chaining Mode,
Stream Ciphers, Self-Synchronizing Stream Ciphers, Cipher- Feedback Mode,
Synchronous Stream Ciphers, Output-Feedback Mode, Counter Mode, Other Block-Cipher
Modes, Choosing a Cipher Mode. Factoring, Prime Number Generation, Discrete
Logarithms in a Finite Field, AES (with GCM mode), ChaCha20-Poly1305, Ascon
(lightweight crypto).
1. Explain ECB and CBC modes and compare their security against block replay attacks.
2. Differentiate between synchronous and self-synchronizing stream ciphers with examples.
3. Describe the working of CFB and OFB modes and compare their error-propagation behavior.
4. Explain the CTR (Counter) mode of operation and discuss its advantages in modern cryptography.
5. Discuss the role of factoring, prime number generation, and discrete logarithms in cryptographic
security.
6. Explain the principles and applications of AES-GCM, ChaCha20-Poly1305, and Ascon in
authenticated encryption.
UNIT III : Pseudo-Random-Sequence Generators and Stream Ciphers- Linear
Congruential Generators, Linear Feedback Shift Registers, Stream Ciphers using LFSRs,
RC4, Feedback with Carry Shift Registers, Stream Ciphers Using FCSRs, Nonlinear-
Feedback Shift Registers, Other Stream Ciphers, One-Way Hash Functions- MD5, Secure
Hash Algorithm (SHA), One Way Hash Functions Using Symmetric Block, Using Public
Key Algorithms, Message Authentication Codes.
1. Explain the working of Linear Congruential Generators (LCGs) and discuss their limitations in
cryptographic applications.
2. Describe Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSRs) and explain how they are used in building
stream ciphers.
3. Compare RC4, stream ciphers using LFSRs, and stream ciphers using FCSRs in terms of design
and security.
4. Explain the concept of Nonlinear Feedback Shift Registers (NLFSRs) and discuss their role in
improving stream cipher security.
5. Describe the working principles of MD5 and SHA hash functions, highlighting their main
differences.
6. Write short notes on:
(a) One-way hash functions using symmetric block ciphers
(b) Message Authentication Codes (MACs)
UNIT IV : Public-Key Algorithms, RSA, ElGamal, Elliptic Curve Cryptosystems, Digital
Signature Algorithm (DSA), DSA Variants, Discrete Logarithm Signature Schemes,
Schnorr, Converting Identification Schemes to Signature Schemes.
1. Explain the working principles of RSA and discuss its key generation, encryption, and decryption
processes.
2. Describe the ElGamal public-key cryptosystem and analyze its security based on the discrete
logarithm problem.
3. Discuss Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and explain why it provides higher security with
smaller key sizes.
4. Explain the Digital Signature Algorithm (DSA) and describe the steps involved in signature
generation and verification.
5. Compare different discrete-logarithm-based signature schemes, including Schnorr signatures,
highlighting their efficiency and security.
6. What is an identification scheme? Explain how identification schemes can be converted into digital
signature schemes with an example.
UNIT V : Diffie- Hellman, Station-to-Station Protocol, Multiple-Key Public-Key
Cryptography, Subliminal Channel, Undeniable Digital Signatures, Designated Confirmer
Signatures, Kerberos, Message Security Protocol (MSP), Pretty Good Privacy (PGP),
Smart Cards, Public-Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS).
1. Explain the Diffie–Hellman key exchange and discuss how the Station-to-Station (STS)
protocol improves its security.
2. Describe Multiple-Key Public-Key Cryptography and explain its applications in enhancing
confidentiality and authentication.
3. What is a Subliminal Channel? Explain its types and how it can be used to leak information
covertly.
4. Differentiate Undeniable Digital Signatures and Designated Confirmer Signatures. Explain
their working principles with suitable use-cases.
5. Explain the architecture and working of Kerberos and discuss how it ensures secure
authentication in distributed systems.
6. Write short notes on:
a) Message Security Protocol (MSP)
b) Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)
c) Smart Cards
d) Public-Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS)