Question 67

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

Hashing is a process that creates a unique fixed-size string of characters from data, which can be used to verify the integrity of the file. By comparing the hash value before and after the transfer, a technician can ensure that the file has not been altered during the transmission.

A) Authentication

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or device, ensuring that the entity accessing a resource is legitimate. While important for security, it does not directly relate to verifying the integrity of a file that has been transferred.

B) Obfuscation

Obfuscation refers to making data unclear or difficult to understand, which can protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. However, it does not serve the purpose of verifying whether a file has been altered or remains intact after transfer.

C) Hashing

Hashing is the correct method for verifying file integrity. When a file is hashed, it produces a unique value that represents the content of the file. If the file is transferred and the hash value is checked again, any discrepancy indicates that the file has been altered, thus confirming or denying its integrity.

D) Encryption

Encryption is the process of encoding data to prevent unauthorized access. While it secures the file during transfer, it does not provide a mechanism to verify whether the file remains unchanged after being transferred.

Conclusion

Hashing is the definitive method for verifying the integrity of transferred files, as it allows for the comparison of original and transferred data through unique hash values. The other options, while relevant to aspects of data security, do not specifically address the integrity verification of files.