In public-key cryptography (asymmetric encryption), which key is used by a sender to encrypt a confidential message intended exclusively for recipient Alice?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Alice's public key

  1. Step 1: Review the principles of asymmetric key pairs for confidential transmission.
  2. Step 2: To ensure only Alice can decrypt the message, the sender encrypts it using Alice's openly available public key. Only Alice's corresponding private key (known solely to Alice) can decrypt it.
Answer
Alice's public key.
Why not the others: Alice's private key is kept secret by Alice and used for decryption; encrypting with the sender's private key produces a digital signature, not confidentiality.

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