DOCUMENT:Q130322 31-OCT-1999 [pcmail] TITLE :PC Gen: Information on Data Encryption Used in Mail PRODUCT :Microsoft Mail For PC Networks PROD/VER:WINDOWS:3.0,3.2 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, versions 3.0, 3.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= Microsoft Mail for PC Networks uses data encryption technology to provide security on many of the data files found in the postoffice database. Examples of the files that are encrypted are all .MAI, .ATT, .CAL, and .MMF files, as well as password fields in the MASTER.GLB and ACCESS.GLB files. Encrypting these files prevents anyone from dumping their contents and openly viewing the information contained in the file. MORE INFORMATION ================ The data encryption algorithm employed by Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, while being proprietary, is NSA (National Security Agency) approved. Microsoft Mails data encryption technique is similar to the Data Encryption Standard (DES) as designed by the National Bureau of Standards; however, unlike DES, the data encryption technology employed by Microsoft Mail is exportable outside the United States. Additional query words: 3.00 3.20 ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbMailSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbMailPCN320 kbMailPCN300 Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.2 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.