Using a MAC in addition to symmetric encryption

[Erik Ostermueller]

Hello all,

If I exchange messages with a system and the messages are encrypted with a 
symmetric key, what further benefit would we get by using a MAC (Message 
Authentication Code) along with the message encryption?
Being new to all this, using the encrytpion and MAC together seem redundant.

Thanks,

--Erik Ostermueller



      

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