For Immediate Release Contact: National Semiconductor Lori Sinton (408) 721-2448 lori@ipower.nsc.com http://www.ipsecure.com CryptoSampler, from National Semiconductor, Demonstrates Ease of Building Secure Electronic Commerce and Communications Applications Company's iPower(tm) Business Unit Launches Free CryptoSolver to Inaugurate New Web Site SANTA CLARA, Calif., November 27, 1995 --- National Semiconductor Corporation today announced the availability of its CryptoSampler package for applications developers interested in gaining a "hands on" understanding of how cryptography solves modern business problems. Developed by National's iPower Business Unit, the program consists of three demonstration applications and the PersonaCard(tm) 100, a hardware token for personal, portable data security. The package contains both the demonstration applications including "build-it- yourself" tools to integrate security easily into electronic commerce and communications applications. Priced at $129, the CryptoSampler package is available to the first 1,000 U. S. respondents and can be ordered directly from National's iPower Business Unit. In a related move, the company's iPower Business Unit launched its own web site along with CryptoSolver, an interactive game that invites participants to solve encrypted messages based on the concepts of substitution ciphers and the alphabetic frequency table. CryptoSolver, a technology-teaser game rates players' deciphering skills and can be downloaded from iPower's new web site free. "As networks become the lifeblood of corporations and the principal means of commerce, securing electronic transactions and proprietary information over public and private networks is absolutely critical," said Tom Rowley, marketing director for National's iPower Business Unit. "Through this program, we hope to help broaden individual's understanding of how modern security technology can solve real problems on the Internet and in Electronic Commerce business applications," Rowley explained. CryptoSampler Package - Token Plus Three Applications in One ------------------------------------------------------------ The CryptoSampler package consists of a PersonaCard 100 data security token, a floppy disk containing all three demonstration applications, a cryptography primer written by recognized cryptography expert Bruce Schneier, and a questionnaire. Customers who choose to complete and return the questionnaire, will receive a free copy, while supplies last, of Bruce Schneier's newly-released book, Applied Cryptography, second edition. o PersonaScreen(tm) System Lockout Utility is a screen locker that prevents unauthorized entry into a personal computer by locking the keyboard and mouse. The PersonaCard Token, implemented in the PC Card (formerly PCMCIA) Type II format, locks and unlocks the desktop computer. o PersonaSecure(tm) Word Utility enables users to sign, seal (encrypt, decrypt), and verify documents as well as e-mail messages from within Microsoft Word 6.0 for Windows. Installed automatically, PersonaSecure displays a toolbar that corresponds to the functions of National's PersonaCard data security token. The hardware token incorporates RSA's industry-standard digital signature and encryption formats which are now "token aware." In addition to protecting and validating Microsoft Word documents, users can encrypt and decrypt e-mail messages with others who have installed the PersonaSecure Word Utility. o PersonaDLL Library for Visual BASIC 3.0 is a Dynamic Link Library (DLL) of routines that enables developers to quickly and easily develop their own applications incorporating high-level data security features. PersonaDLL includes a Visual BASIC application, Visual BASIC source code, and access to all of the features of the PersonaCard 100 token including digital signatures, RSA key generation, encryption, and verification. System requirements to run the CryptoSampler package are: Microsoft Windows 3.X, Windows for Workgroups 3.X, and a PC Card slot (version 2.1 or later). Microsoft Word 6.0 is required for the PersonaSecure Word Utility. Pricing and Availability ------------------------ The CryptoSampler package is available with or without a PC Card Reader. For those who plan to run CryptoSampler applications on a desktop or portable personal computer already equipped with a PC Card slot, the basic package is offered at a special price of $129 (including handling and shipping). A CryptoSampler package with PC Card reader is available for $199. The total retail value of the basic package and configuration with card reader is $300 and $500, respectively. To order the CryptoSampler package in either configuration, call 1-800-272-9959 Ext# 631 between the hours of 7 AM and 7 PM Central Standard Time. To play CryptoSolver and for more information about the CryptoSampler program, see the iPower web site at http://www.ipsecure.com . iPower Security Solutions ------------------------- Introduced a year ago, iPower technology provides the highest-level of commercially available security in a personal, portable hardware token. iPower solutions are already being incorporated by OEMs, ISVs, and VARs into a variety of applications and hardware platforms including e-mail and messaging, electronic commerce, network security, and secure access to on-line services including the Internet. National Semiconductor Corporation provides technologies for moving and shaping information. The company focuses on four key areas - communications, consumer, industrial, and personal systems. National Semiconductor is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has 22,300 employees worldwide. -30- Note to Editors: To receive a CryptoSampler package for review, call or e-mail Lori Sinton, 408 721-2448 or sampler@ipower.nsc.com iPower and PersonaCard are trademarks of National Semiconductor Corporation. All other trademarks are held by their respective companies.