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| Encryption--The Internet's Key to Security |
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Until a few years ago Internet security wasn't given
much thought. The Internet community encouraged the sharing of data
and ideas; the common goals of the Internet users made boundaries
and restrictions unnecessary-or so it seemed at the time.
As the Internet became more of a commercial tool, the need for
a secure method of online purchases and messages between a customer
and retailer became a necessity. This is where the SSL (secure
socket layer) encryption comes into play.
SSL Affects Hackers the Same Way Kryptonite Affects Superman
SSL encryption is software that prevents anyone from
intercepting and reading data being transferred between the customer
and the retailer's database. So, SSL is ideal for accepting
sensitive information over the Internet, such as credit-card numbers
or access passwords.
Secure links between your computer and another computer over
the Internet are based on a code system called public key
encryption. When the computer forms a secure connection over the
Internet, it will be using the communication protocol called SSL.
You can be sure of the secure connection by a picture of a key or a
closed padlock appearing at the bottom of your browser's screen.
Also, when your computer makes a secure link through the Internet,
the URL will begin with https//: rather than http//: located in your
browser's address window.
Each computer generates a set of codes, which encrypts the
information. From these codes, each computer generates two
"keys"--one private and one public. Your computer keeps
the private key secret, but sends out the public key to the other
computer which uses that key to encode messages that only your
computer can read. Only the private key can do the decoding. Through
this process only these two computers have a copy of the respective
keys.
SSL is an enormous step towards making the Internet secure. The
level of security provided by SSL encryption can support a variety
of needs for the many different applications available today. SSL is
the standard for a secure method in terms of privacy, integrity, and
authenticity.
Which Provides Better Protection--A Secured Internet Transaction or a Physical Transaction?
The choice is easy! SSL encryption offers two levels of
security: the 40-bit ("low" or "weak") that
offers over a trillion possible code combinations, or the 128-bit
("high" or "b") with nearly immeasurable
code combinations.
Here's how secure a 128-bit key is: it would take 250
workstations working simultaneously around the clock an estimated 9
trillion times the age of the universe just to decrypt a single
message. It's safe to say SSL is extremely sophisticated software.
In comparison, do you feel safe giving your credit card to a waiter
who disappears with the card for a few minutes? Or to an employee at
a store, who keeps a copy of your credit card information? It's far
more risky to trust your credit card carbons to an underpaid fast
food employee than to send the number via a secure encrypted web
page.
With the proven security and protection that SSL provides, you
can be confident while you are taking advantage of many conveniences
of Internet shopping.
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