At 06:29 PM 1/24/97 -0800, Hugh Daniel wrote:
Based on PGP, with no "third-party" key holder, the Nordic system uses unbreakable RSA-algorithm encryption with a 1024-bit key. However, some hardware is required. Because the key is on a smartcard, users must have smartcard readers installed on their computers, which aren't yet widely available. But Pdr Andler of Finnish Hewlett Packard says that later this year, smartcard readers
Guess what - it's still got "key escrow"! If you've got a smartcard that holds your key, then you've got something well-defined that can be subpoenaed.... It's better than Yankee-style giving the government your keys in advance, but it's still key escrow. On the other hand, it's voluntary, and if it interoperates with Real PGP, then great - but will there be an expectation that you need to have your key signed by The Post Office to use it? # Thanks; Bill # Bill Stewart, +1-415-442-2215 stewarts@ix.netcom.com # You can get PGP outside the US at ftp.ox.ac.uk/pub/crypto/pgp # (If this is a mailing list, please Cc: me on replies. Thanks.)