On Mon, 26 Aug 1996 13:26:04 -0500, John Deters wrote:
What do cypherpunks think about the following practice or law (I realize that it may be impossible to implement): each email message should carry a little digicash check for, say, 20 cents. Mail reading programs should reject (send back unread) all messages not carrying these digital checks, unless the senders are in the "friends list". The MUAs should ask users whether they want to "cash" the digital check or not.
I do not believe it is possible to have a secure executable that exists on an uncontrolled user's machine. "Tamperproof" encryption chips still require communications in and out from the user's program. A determined attacker could continue to use the pieces of their code that talk to the encryption chip.
Never underestimate the allure of "free money" when you're planning to >give it away.
Methinks you don't understand e-cash. It's not executable, and uses public key crypto to prevent "minting". It uses records to prevent replays. In other words, it'd be like Ed McMahon including a quarter in the envelope. You'd only be able to use it once.... / If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. / Home: Chris Adams <adamsc@io-online.com> | http://www.io-online.com/adamsc/adamsc.htp / Autoresponder: send email w/subject of "send resume" or "send PGPKEY" / Work: cadams@acucobol.com | V.M. (619)515-4894 | (619)689-6579 / Member in good standing of the GNU whirled hors d'oeuvre