Recitation 12: Cybersecurity

Preparation

Prepare by reading pages 117-137 and 147-148 from Chapter 5 of Blown to Bits.

At Recitation

Work with a partner to complete Unit 4’s Lab 2, “Cybersecurity.” It is important to work with a partner, since you will be exchanging encrypted messages.

Skip the debate activity on page 4. After about 30 minutes, the instructor will gather the class to organize the debate.

Submit

Ensure that all teammates submit to Moodle. You should both upload a PDF containing:

• Your name(s)
• A filled-in version of the template shown below
• Thoughts on how this activity could be improved in the future

Template

• Link a project with your Caesar cipher code (from page 2): LINK
• Link to a recent news article about cybersecurity: LINK
• In your own words, summarize the article in a few sentences: This article describes a recent cyberattack on…
• If you attended recitation, write a few sentences responding to each of the following questions:
  • In the debate, which group’s reasoning did you find most convincing (even if you didn’t actually agree with their position)?
  • Why were they so convincing?
  • What made it hard to argue against their position?
• If you didn’t attend recitation, in at least 200 words, respond to this prompt. You may find it helpful to read the articles linked under “Take It Further” on page 4.
  • Explain why you either support or oppose government backdoors in encryption.