Question

Which of the following statement is not true regarding columnar transposition cipher?

(a) it is a weak cipher

(b) probability of error is high while deciphering

(c) it cannot be combined with other ciphers

(d) it is a traditional symmetric cipher

The question was posed to me in exam.

My enquiry is from Cryptography in section Cryptography of Data Structures & Algorithms II

Answer 1

The correct choice is (c) it cannot be combined with other ciphers

Easiest explanation - Although columnar transposition cipher is a weak cipher in itself. But it can be combined with other substitution ciphers so as to improve its security. The probability of error remains high while decoding columnar cipher as it is a lengthy process.