4.
2 Network issues and communication
Security of computer networks
Active and passive attack
Spyware
GCSE COMPUTER SCIENCE
Topic 3 - Data
3.10 Encryption
Encryption
What is Encryption?
Encryption allows data to be kept secret and secure so no one else can make use of it.
A key is used to encrypt plain text into meaningless cipher text, the same key is used to decrypt
the data back into its original form.
Only someone who knows the key can decrypt the cipher. If you don’t have the key you need to
crack the code.
ACTIVITY Write all parts of this definition of encryption in your book.
Encryption
Why do we need Encryption?
Ever since humans have been able to write, encryption has been used to make writing secret.
The Egyptians changed hieroglyphics so that the general public could not understand them.
The Romans took it to the next level by creating codes for their writing.
ACTIVITY Write all parts of this in your book.
Encryption
Public Key and Private Key
Private key is used to decrypt the data.
Public key is available to all to encrypt data.
ACTIVITY Write all parts of this in your book.
Activity
Decrypt this message
Message Decrypted Message
WKH WUHDVXUH
LV KLGGHQ
THE TREASURE IS
XQGHU WKH
HIDDEN UNDER
SDOP WUHH THE PALM TREE
Hint
HINT H = E Write
and out W = on one line of your book, it will help!
the alphabet
T
Activity
Answer the following question
Question Answer
The Caesar Cipher is a method of
encryption and would not be used today
because it is so easy to crack. The letters
Explain how the of the alphabet are shifted a set number
Caesar Cipher of places.
works A positive shift moves the letters to the
right, a negative shift moves them to the
left. For example, a shift of +2 would
change the letter A to a C and so on.
Activity
You are going to create your own Caesar Cipher wheel
Follow the instructions on the hand out.
Equipment needed 2 x different colour pens, scissors and a paper fastener.
Activity
Use your Caesar Cipher wheel to decode and encode these messages.
Plain text Shift Encrypted text
THE CAESAR CIPHER IS 5 YMJ HFJXFW HNUMJW
AN EXAMPLE OF ROMAN NX FS JCFRUQJ TK
INGENUITY WTRFS NSLJSZNYD
THE KEY IS HIDDEN 3 QEB HBV FP EFAABK
UNDER THE FLOWERPOT RKABO QEB CILTBO
MLQ