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O-LevelComputer ScienceThe Internet and its uses2210/11 · May/June 2025 · Q69 Marks

Data can be encrypted using asymmetric encryption.

  1. (a)Complete the paragraph about asymmetric encryption. Use the terms from the list. Some of the terms in the list will not be used. You may use a term more than once. algorithm binary hardware hexadecimal public readable cipher text compression error meaningless plain text private transmission unreadable Data is encrypted using an encryption key. This is a type of _______ that scrambles the _______ and turns it into _______. This makes the data _______. A _______ key is used to encrypt the data. This key cannot be used to decrypt the data. A _______ key is used to decrypt the data. Any device is able to request the _______ key, but only your device knows the _______ key.[8]
  2. (b)Data can also be encrypted using symmetric encryption. Give one reason why a person would use asymmetric encryption instead of symmetric encryption.[1]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2025). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [8] One mark for each correct term in the correct position Data is encrypted using an encryption key. This is a type of algorithm that scrambles the plain text and turns it into cipher text. This makes the data meaningless. A public/private key is used to encrypt the data. This key cannot be used to decrypt the data. A private/public key is used to decrypt the data. Any device is able to request the public key, but only your device knows the private key.
  2. [1] Any one from: • The process is more secure. • Do not need to worry about key exchange.

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About this question

Topic
The Internet and its uses, O-Level Computer Science (syllabus 2210). Structured question, 9 marks.
Source
O-Level Computer Science, May/June 2025 Paper 1 Variant 1, question 6.

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