Non-repudiation in e-commerce is obtained through digital signatures, confirmation services, and timestamps.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Non-repudiation is achieved through encryption alone
• D. Non-repudiation is not necessary in e-commerce

Answer: (B)

Non-repudiation is about ensuring a party cannot deny having originated a transaction or message. In e-commerce, this is achieved by combining digital signatures, confirmation services, and timestamps. Digital signatures bind the sender’s identity to the data and protect integrity; the signer uses a private key and others can verify with the public key, making it clear who signed and that the content hasn’t been altered. Confirmation services provide an auditable receipt or acknowledgement that the recipient received and accepted the transaction, adding a verifiable record of participation. Timestamps give a trusted date and time for the signature or document, showing exactly when the action occurred and preventing later disputes about when it happened. Encryption alone protects confidentiality but doesn’t prove who signed or performed the action, so it doesn’t establish non-repudiation. Non-repudiation is important in e-commerce, so the statement is true.