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Question

Difficulty: MediumInformation Technology and Cybersecurity

Consider the following statements regarding Blockchain technology and cryptographic mechanisms in cybersecurity:

1. Cryptographic hash functions used in blockchain exhibit the 'avalanche effect', where a minor modification to input data yields a significantly different hash output.
2. Immutability in a public blockchain ledger is secured because altering historical data requires recalculating the hashes of all subsequent blocks and achieving consensus across the network.
3. Asymmetric cryptography is implemented in blockchain systems primarily for compressing transaction data volume rather than managing digital keys and authentication.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. C
    1 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

The statement combination '1 and 2 only' is correct.
The combination consisting of the first and second statements is correct. Cryptographic hash functions ensure that any slight modification in input radically alters the output hash (avalanche effect). Furthermore, because blocks are cryptographically chained, modifying any past transaction invalidates all subsequent block headers, making the ledger tamper-resistant. Conversely, asymmetric encryption generates public and private key pairs for wallet identity and digital signatures, not for data compression.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Statement 1 regarding cryptographic hash functions.
Statement 1 is correct.
Cryptographic hash functions (such as SHA-256) feature the avalanche effect, meaning even a single bit change in the input produces a drastically altered and unpredictable hash output.
2
Analyze Statement 2 regarding ledger immutability.
Statement 2 is correct.
Each block contains the cryptographic hash of the preceding block. Changing past block data breaks the hash chain, requiring an attacker to recompute all subsequent hashes and override majority network consensus.
3
Analyze Statement 3 regarding asymmetric cryptography.
Statement 3 is incorrect.
Asymmetric cryptography (public-private key pairs) is used for digital signatures, ownership verification, and secure transaction signing, not for data compression.

Key Concept

Cryptographic Hash Functions and Asymmetric Encryption in Blockchain Security
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Topics

Information Technology and Cybersecurity

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