CPSC 110-08: Computing with Mobile Phones

Reading: Blown to Bits, Ch 5
Due: Monday 4/16 (before class)

Required Textbook

We will use Blown to Bits: Your Life, Liberty, and Happiness After the Digital Explosion by Abelson, Ledeen, Lewis for reading assignments about the digital revolution. You are required to acquire this book, either by purchasing it or by downloading PDF copies of its chapters.

Reading Assignment

Read Chapter 5 of Blown to Bits (32 pages). This chapter talks about the Cryptography.

Reading Questions

Post answers to the following questions on a Portfolio page. We will discuss these in class.

  1. What is security through obscurity and why is it bad?

  2. What is the key agreement protocol and why is it so important to Internet commerce?

  3. What is a certficate and what role does it play in Internet security?

Portfolio

Your answers to the above questions should be recorded on a new portfolio page. Name it "Blown to Bits, Appendix" or something similar.