In the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol, what is never shared between the two parties?The prime modulusThe baseThe private keysThe public keys

Answer to the Question

In the Diffie-Hellman key exchange protocol, the private keys are never shared between the two parties.

Explanation

1. Private Keys: Each party generates their own private key, which is kept secret and never transmitted over the communication channel. This is a crucial aspect of the protocol, as the security of the shared secret relies on these private keys remaining confidential.

2. Public Keys: The parties do share their public keys, which are derived from their private keys and a common base and prime modulus.

3. Base and Prime Modulus: The base (also known as g) and the prime modulus (p) are agreed upon ahead of time and are known to both parties, facilitating the key exchange process.

In summary, the critical component that remains confidential in the Diffie-Hellman protocol is the private keys.