9. A method for facilitating routable prefix queries, the method comprising: generating, by a client computing device, a query for one or more indices based on a name for an interest, wherein a name is a hierarchically structured variable length identifier that includes contiguous name components ordered from a most general level to a most specific level, wherein an index indicates a number of the contiguous name components beginning from the most general level that represent a routable prefix needed to route the interest to a content producing device that can satisfy the interest; and in response to the query, receiving the one or more indices, which allows the client computing device to determine a remaining number of name components of the interest name which can be encrypted, thereby facilitating protection of private communication in a content centric network, further comprising: generating a first interest with a name that includes a first routable prefix that corresponds to a received index, wherein the first routable prefix is in cleartext; and encrypting a remaining suffix which comprises name components of the name immediately following the first routable prefix.
9. A method for facilitating routable prefix queries, the method comprising: generating, by a client computing device, a query for one or more indices based on a name for an interest, wherein a name is a hierarchically structured variable length identifier that includes contiguous name components ordered from a most general level to a most specific level, wherein an index indicates a number of the contiguous name components beginning from the most general level that represent a routable prefix needed to route the interest to a content producing device that can satisfy the interest; and in response to the query, receiving the one or more indices, which allows the client computing device to determine a remaining number of name components of the interest name which can be encrypted, thereby facilitating protection of private communication in a content centric network, further comprising: generating a first interest with a name that includes a first routable prefix that corresponds to a received index, wherein the first routable prefix is in cleartext; and encrypting a remaining suffix which comprises name components of the name immediately following the first routable prefix. 11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the query is generated by a first local application, and wherein the method further comprises: transmitting the query to a second local application that is a local routing service that shares a same forwarder as the first local application, wherein the local routing service configures a forwarding information base of the client computing device based on notification messages received from content producing devices.