

SECURE FAQ.TXT  Vers. 1.2                      06-19-96


    For   SECURE Desk-Top   and   SECURE Plug-In
                   

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


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* 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. 

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* 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

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* 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.

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* 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.

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* 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. 
                                 
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* 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!

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* 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


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* 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          

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*  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.

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For  any  up-dates,  patches, or news on SECURE, please
visit regularly the SECURE home page at the url:
          http://www.systems.it/secure

