Question 67

Hashing should be performed to verify the integrity of a file transferred from one device to another.

Hashing is a process that generates a fixed-size string of characters from input data, which can be used to check the integrity of files. By comparing the hash values of the original and transferred files, a technician can confirm that the file has not been altered during transfer.

A) Authentication

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or device, rather than ensuring that the data itself remains unchanged. While important for securing access, authentication does not provide a means to confirm the integrity of a file after it has been transferred.

B) Obfuscation

Obfuscation involves making data difficult to understand or interpret, usually to protect it from unauthorized access. While it can enhance security, it does not serve the purpose of verifying file integrity, as it does not provide a way to detect alterations in the file.

C) Hashing

Hashing is the correct choice, as it creates a unique hash value for a file that can be compared before and after transfer. If the hash values match, the file's integrity is confirmed; if they do not, it indicates that the file has been changed or corrupted.

D) Encryption

Encryption is the process of encoding data to prevent unauthorized access, but it does not inherently verify the integrity of the data. While encryption secures the file during transfer, it does not provide a method to check if the file has been altered.

Conclusion

Hashing is the definitive method for verifying file integrity, as it allows for a straightforward comparison of hash values before and after transfer. Other options, such as authentication, obfuscation, and encryption, serve different purposes and do not effectively address the need to ensure that the file remains unchanged during the transfer process.