There are a variety of online cipher tools that demonstrate different cryptographic
algorithms. Visit the website Cipher Tools (rumkin.com/tools/cipher/) and explore the
different tools. Select three tools, one of which is mentioned in this chapter (ROT13, One-
Time Pad, etc.). Experiment with the three different tools. Which is easy to use? Which is more
difficult? Which tool would you justify to be more secure than the others? Why? Write a onepage
paper on your analysis of the tools.
Case Project 4-4: HTTPS
Hypertext Transport Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is becoming increasingly popular as a security
protocol for web traffic. Some sites automatically use HTTPS for all transactions (like Google),
while others require that users must configure it in their settings. Some argue that HTTPS should
be used on all web traffic. What are the advantages of HTTPS? What are its disadvantages? How
is it different from HTTP? How must the server be set up for HTTPS transactions? How would
it protect you using a public Wi-Fi connection at a local coffee shop? Should all web traffic be
required to use HTTPS? Why or why not? Write a one-page paper of your research.
