Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Cybersecurity Practice Test

What is a compromised key attack?

1. Using a virus to access and steal information

2. Using a stolen key to decrypt protected data

3. Accessing data without authorization

4. Launching a denial-of-service attack

The correct answer is: Using a stolen key to decrypt protected data

A compromised key attack specifically refers to the situation where an unauthorized entity uses a stolen or otherwise compromised encryption key to decrypt data that is meant to be secure. In this scenario, the attacker can gain access to sensitive information without needing to break the encryption algorithm itself, which is often complex and time-consuming. Instead, they exploit the fact that the key has been compromised, rendering the encryption method ineffective. This type of attack highlights the importance of key management and protection. If encryption keys are not adequately safeguarded, the data they protect can become vulnerable, regardless of the strength of the encryption used. In contrast, other options discuss different attack methods or security breaches that do not specifically pertain to the misuse of encryption keys. For example, using a virus to access and steal information involves malicious software rather than a key compromise; accessing data without authorization is a broader term that doesn't pin down the method of attack to key exploitation; and launching a denial-of-service attack focuses on disrupting services instead of accessing encrypted data. These scenarios are important in their own right, but they do not encapsulate the specific mechanism involved in a compromised key attack.