Simple Columnar Transposition Cipher Answers 1. What is the main purpose of the key in simple columnar transposition? A. To determine the length of the plaintext B. To encrypt the plaintext directly without rearrangement C. To select the grid size for the plaintext D. To specify the order in which columns are read Answer: To specify the order in which columns are read (D) The key determines the specific order in which the columns are read to create the ciphertext. 2. How does the key '4312' affect the arrangement of the plaintext 'ATTACKATDAWN'? A. It determines that columns will be read in reverse order B. It specifies the filling sequence of the column grid C. It indicates to read column 4 first, then 3, followed by 1 and 2 D. It rearranges the letters in the words of the plaintext Answer: It indicates to read column 4 first, then 3, followed by 1 and 2 (C) The key '4312' indicates that the columns should be read in the order of 4, 3, 1, and then 2. 3. What is a significant limitation of simple columnar transposition? A. It offers multi-layer security through permutation B. It is highly resistant to brute-force attacks C. It can easily encrypt large amounts of data D. It is vulnerable to frequency analysis with short keys Answer: It is vulnerable to frequency analysis with short keys (D) The method is vulnerable to frequency analysis, especially when short keys are used. 4. Why is the key length important in simple columnar transposition? A. Key length does not influence the cipher's complexity B. Key length affects the number of possible permutations C. Shorter keys make message reading faster D. Longer keys make the grid larger and harder to manage Answer: Key length affects the number of possible permutations (B) Longer keys provide more possible permutations, making the cipher more secure against attacks. 5. What does the ciphertext 'AKTCATADWANK' reveal about the plaintext and key used? A. It serves as an example of a failed encryption attempt B. The original message is fully visible in the ciphertext C. It demonstrates the function of the key in the encryption process D. The order of letters has been completely randomized Answer: It demonstrates the function of the key in the encryption process (C) The ciphertext illustrates how the key affects the reading order of the plaintext columns. 6. In terms of teaching cryptography, what is the primary role of simple columnar transposition? A. To serve as a complex example of data encryption B. To introduce basic transposition cipher concepts C. To act as a secure communication method in modern applications D. To demonstrate multilevel encryption techniques Answer: To introduce basic transposition cipher concepts (B) Simple columnar transposition is used primarily as an educational tool to teach the basic principles of encryption. 7. Which of the following statements is true regarding simple columnar transposition? A. It encrypts messages using a random key generator B. It is among the most secure encryption methods available C. It can only be used with fixed-length messages D. It rearranges plaintext into columns based on a defined key Answer: It rearranges plaintext into columns based on a defined key (D) The method rearranges the letters of the plaintext into columns, which are then read according to a specific key. 8. What makes brute-force attacks more difficult against longer keys in simple columnar transposition? A. Longer keys allow for fewer possible combinations B. Longer keys increase the number of columns in a grid C. Longer keys create more complex patterns in ciphertext D. Longer keys provide more possible permutations of columns Answer: Longer keys provide more possible permutations of columns (D) Longer keys increase the number of permutations, making it harder for an attacker to guess the key.