// COMPLETE THREAD

Add-in encryption module to Netscape

5 expanded posts ยท every known parent and child

NODE 57aafaceAdd-in encryption module to Netscape
Hi, 

Lurking here for quite some time until now a real problem has come up and I
need help here.

I'm not in the US of A and the Netscape commerce server that my employer 
recently purchased has only 48bit key (as told by the salesman). My question is
whether it is possible to add-in my own security module (RSA) and secondly, how
difficult is it? The salesman cannot answer me.

Thanks a lot.
NODE c901988eRe: Add-in encryption module to Netscape
runner@asiapac.net writes:
> I'm not in the US of A and the Netscape commerce server that my
> employer recently purchased has only 48bit key (as told by the
> salesman). My question is whether it is possible to add-in my own
> security module (RSA) and secondly, how difficult is it? The
> salesman cannot answer me.

You made a mistake in buying Netscape commerce in the first place, but
don't despair! You can still get Apache, an excellent web server, and
an unencumbered SSL module that you can use without restriction
outside the U.S. (if you want to run it inside the U.S. you need to
pay a fee because of the patents on RSA).

Perry
NODE 1a71898bRe: Add-in encryption module to Netscape
> 
> You made a mistake in buying Netscape commerce in the first place, but
> don't despair! You can still get Apache, an excellent web server, and
> an unencumbered SSL module that you can use without restriction
> outside the U.S. (if you want to run it inside the U.S. you need to
> pay a fee because of the patents on RSA).
> 

	At least point the guy at a URL:

Outside the US: http://www.algroup.co.uk/Apache-SSL/
Inside the US: http://apachessl.c2.net/


-- 
Sameer Parekh					Voice:   510-601-9777x3
Community ConneXion, Inc.			FAX:     510-601-9734
The Internet Privacy Provider			Dialin:  510-658-6376
http://www.c2.net/ (or login as "guest")		sameer@c2.net
NODE b335519aRe: Add-in encryption module to Netscape
> You made a mistake in buying Netscape commerce in the first place, but
> don't despair! You can still get Apache, an excellent web server, and
> an unencumbered SSL module that you can use without restriction
> outside the U.S. (if you want to run it inside the U.S. you need to
> pay a fee because of the patents on RSA).

The browsers present a bit of a problem as well -- the free Netscapes that
people download uses small keys, so it won't matter if you use an Apache
or Netscape server if people browse your site with Netscape navigators.  I
think there are full strength Mosaic's available, but I've never used
them. 

Also, you should check to see if you can get a verisign certificate for 
the international version of apache-ssl -- if you can't, that might cause 
you problems as well.

The best answer for these sorts of problems (at least for those of you not
constrained by ITAR) might be java form processing applets that use their
own crypto routines to submit the data.
NODE 1ce803a2Re: Add-in encryption module to Netscape
runner@asiapac.net wrote:

> I'm not in the US of A and the Netscape commerce server that my employer
> recently purchased has only 48bit key (as told by the salesman).

For exportable clients and servers, the symmectric keys for doing bulk
encryption are 40 bits.

> My question is
> whether it is possible to add-in my own security module (RSA)

The symmetric (RSA) keys are at least 512 bits.

> and secondly, how
> difficult is it? The salesman cannot answer me.

Netscape cannot get permission to distribute software with "pluggable"
crypto. This and the above restrictions are the result of U.S.
regulations.

PK
--
Philip L. Karlton		karlton@netscape.com
Principal Curmudgeon		http://home.netscape.com/people/karlton
Netscape Communications

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     temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
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