Mis 578 Homework 2 – Encryption Software

MIS 578 Homework 2 – Encryption Software (45 points)

Follow instructions in Project 1 at the end of Chapter 3 to download, install, and get familiar with using AxCrypt, but do not take any screenshots as asked in the project.

Download and save file “Homework 2 Work File.txt”, which is a simple plain text file and is posted in the Assignments area, to a folder on your computer. The file is called the work file hereafter.

When asked to take screenshots, only copy relevant areas as shown in examples. Points will be deducted if the screenshot is taken for the whole desktop. ScreenHunter is the recommended tool for taking screenshots.

Question 1: Encrypt the work file with password “tiger1234”. Take a screenshot like the one shown below. (5 points)

Insert your answer here.

[pic 1]

Question 2: Double click the encrypted work file to open it. When prompted for password, enter a wrong password first. Take a screenshot like the one shown below. Then enter the correct password to open the file. Edit the file by adding your name to the first line. Close the file and open it again. Check to see if the text, i.e. you name, that you’ve added are still there. Take a screenshot of the top part of the file as shown below. Close the file. (10 points)

Insert your answer here.

[pic 2]

[pic 3]

Question 3: Decrypt the file obtained in Question 2. Take a screenshot showing the AxCrypt shortcut menu (similar to the one in Question 1). (5 points)

By the end of Question 2, the file is already decrypted. Hence we are seeing the menu as below to Encrypt the file again.

[pic 4]

I have encrypted the file again and assuming that you want to see the “Decrypt” element in the shortcut menu.

[pic 5]

Question 4: Encrypt the file obtained in Question 3 as an application (an .exe file). Take a screenshot showing the AxCrypt shortcut menu (similar to the one in Question 1). (5 points)

[pic 6]

Question 5: Upload the .exe file you obtained in Question 4 to a cloud storage service, such as Box, which is available through the university (https://box.illinois.edu/), or Google Drive. On the cloud storage site, share the file with one of your friends who has a Windows computer that doesn’t have AxCrypt on it. Ask your friend to download the file, decrypt it with the correct password, copy the content of the decrypted file and send it to you via email. Take a screenshot of your friend’s email. (You can mask your friend’s name and email address to protect his/her privacy.) If you friend cannot decrypt the file, explain possible reasons. (10 points)