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Task $1$: Encode Messages

Instructions: Use the Shift Cipher tool to encode the following plaintext messages using a shift value of their choice $($between $1$ and $25)$:

"SECRET MESSAGE"

"CRYPTOGRAPHY IS FUN"

Deliverables: Record the encoded ciphertext for each message.

Task $2$: Decode Ciphertexts

Instructions: Decode provided ciphertexts using the same Shift Cipher tool. The ciphertexts will be:

$"$WKH FXLS$"($Shift value of $3)$

"Uifsf jt b tfdsfu" $($Shift value of $1)$

Deliverables: Students should record the decoded plaintext for each ciphertext.

$3.$ Analyzing Strengths and Weaknesses

Task $3$: Frequency Analysis

Instructions: Perform a frequency analysis on a long ciphertext encoded with a Shift Cipher. Count the frequency of each letter and compare it with the frequency of letters in the English language.

Deliverables: Submit your frequency counts and a brief analysis of how the frequency distribution of the ciphertext compares to typical English text.

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ask $4$: Brute Force Attack

Instructions: Use a brute force approach to decrypt a ciphertext encoded with a Shift Cipher. Attempt all $25$ possible shifts to find the correct plaintext.

Deliverables: Record the decrypted plaintext for each shift value and identify which shift produces a meaningful message.

Task $5$: Reflection on Susceptibilities

Instructions: Based on your experiences with encoding, decoding, frequency analysis, and brute force attacks, write a brief reflection on the strengths and weaknesses of Shift Ciphers.

Questions to Consider:

How easy or difficult was it to decode the ciphertext using brute force?

What did the frequency analysis reveal about the security of Shift Ciphers?

How can the weaknesses identified in Shift Ciphers be mitigated?

What are practical implications of the weaknesses your identified?