SECURE FAQ.TXT Vers. 1.2 06-19-96 For SECURE Desk-Top and SECURE Plug-In ררררררררררררררר רררררררררררררר SECURE comes in two different shapes and sizes, one for the electronic mail program Eudora, and the other for the Windows desk-top. SECURE Plug-In will only work with Eudora, while SECURE Desk-Top will work with every electronic mail program and all other MS Windows applications SECURE for Windows Frequently Asked Questions: * How does SECURE work? * What versions of Eudora work with the SECURE Plug-In? * Is SECURE compatibile with Win'95? * What algorithms are used in SECURE? * How strong are the encryption algorithms? * Can I use SECURE outside of the United States and Canada? * I forgot my password, are there any secret keys? * Is it free or do I need to purchase a license? * Is there a SECURE mailing list? If you don't find the answer to your question here or from our web site you are welcome to contact us at e-mail: secure@systems.it ------------------------------------------------------- * How does SECURE work? SECURE uses some of the strongest encryption algorithms available today. It is an easy to use security program that works on the MS Windows platform. SECURE uses symmetrical encryption, that is one key for encryption and decryption. The program was specificall designed to be easy to use and to understand. There are no public keys to deal with, only your own private key. You can protect all types of data using SECURE whether it be your e-mail communications inside the company, your personal files on your hard disk, or for communicating accross the internet with encrypted text and file attachments. ------------------------------------------------------- * What versions of Eudora work with the SECURE Plug-In? SECURE Plug-In will work with all 16 bit versions of Eudora. We've been able to test on Eudora Light as well as Eudora Pro for the Windows platform. The Macintosh platform is not yet supported, our Mac versions are expected later on in the year, around September 1996 ------------------------------------------------------- * Is SECURE compatibile with Win'95? SECURE Plug-In will work on the Win95 platform running on Eudora Pro or Light (16 bit only). Please check regularly on the web site for the 32 bit SECURE Plug-In SECURE Desk-Top is completely compatible with the Win95 platform. It is a 16 bit application but has been throughly tested on both the 16 and 32 bit platforms. Both SECURE Plug-In and SECURE Desk-Top will be available in the 16 bit and 32 bit editions. For the latest info please check out the SECURE web site. ------------------------------------------------------- * What algorithms are used in SECURE? There are three specific algorithms used in the SECURE products. There are 2 encrytion and one compression algorithm. The encryption algorithms are: DES: Data Encryption Standard Invented in the seventies by IBM research labs, DES is recognised worldwide by governments and financial institutions as an encryption standard. Widely used in everything from UNIX to Hardware keys. DES uses 56 bit keys to encrypt and decrypt data. IDEA: International Data Encryption Algorithm The IDEA algorithm was a result of a joint project of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich and Ascom Systec with the expressed purpose of replacing the DES approach. IDEA is comprised of a symmetrical block cipher with a 64-bit block length and a 128-bit key. The compression algorithm is: A generic data compression algorithm. Before any data is encrypted, SECURE first compresses the data using this rather strong algorithm. Because the data is first compressed then encrypted, the actual task of hacking the data is that much less possible. ------------------------------------------------------- * How strong are the encryption algorithms? Well let's say, never before broken! Both of the crypto algorithms are published codes, they have been investigated and inspected by the best in the industry. Both of the crypto algorithms used in SECURE are also used in other products and they meet international standards for data security and integrety. Rest assured the encryption algorithms in SECURE are good for at least another 5 to 8 years. ------------------------------------------------------- * Can I use SECURE outside of the United States and Canada? Because SECURE is totally engineered and distributed from norther Italy the product doesn't need to comply with US export regulations. SECURE can be used in the United States and Canada and it can also be used in all it's full strength out-side these countries as well. This means you get strong encryption (128 bit keys) for use anywhere in the world, and not the 40 bit key limited stuff available else where! There are however re-xport restrictions on SECURE in some countries, so please check with local authorities before sending a copy to a friend! ------------------------------------------------------- * I forgot my password, are there any secret keys? Don't forget your password! There are no back doors inside SECURE. We have only used published encryption algorithms inside the SECURE products, so there are no back doors. If you lose your key to open either a secured database or to unlock some encrypted data, then the data will be lost. There are no possibilities to regain the lost information, only if you remember the key ------------------------------------------------------- * Is it free or do I need to purchase a license? SECURE is distributed entirely via the internet. It is available in evaluation copies from our internet site and all new versions and info are placed there first. You have a 30 day evaluation period, if you like the SECURE software and intend to continue using it, then you must purchase a license. So, the answer is, it's NOT FREE. It's commercial software, but you have the chance to truly Try Before You Buy. For licensing, costs and ordering information, you can use the file SECURE.ORD or just press the ORDER button ------------------------------------------------------- * Is there a SECURE mailing list? The current mailing list is operated directly by the SECURE authors. If you'd like to be notified of future versions and news of the SECURE product line, then simply send an e-mail to: secure@systems.it We'd like to hear what you think of our products and if you've got any suggestions, then please let us know. ------------------------------------------------------- For any up-dates, patches, or news on SECURE, please visit regularly the SECURE home page at the url: http://www.systems.it/secure