How to Get Secure (128-Bit) Netscape.

Network Information Services Group
Computing & Information Services.

Introduction.

The usual versions of Netscape support encrypted traffic between your client and a secure Web server using 40-bit encryption key technology. Longer keys provide more robust encryption against brute force attacks (those that try all possible combinations) and 128-bit keys are recommended for that. Some Web pages that involve financial transactions now do a check to see if you have a browser that is at this level of security and will not transact business unless you do.

However, the U.S. government classifies encryption technology as a "munition" and forbids export of software with 128-bit keys. That means you have to take special steps to download the 128-bit version of Netscape, including completion of a form, as described below.

Steps to Follow.

Usages notes:
These directions assume a particular layout of Netscape's pages at the time this document was last updated. Remember, that with version 4.x of Netscape, there is a change in terminology: while we often still say "Netscape" to refer to the browser and bundled friends, strictly speaking "Communicator" now refers to that suite of tightly bundled products, of which Netscape is just the browser product.

1. Go to http://home.netscape.com/.
2. Click link for "Netscape Download" in right margin.
3. Click the link for the version you want, e.g., "Communicator standard edition".
4. Click the "Download" panel in the right margin.
5. Make appropriate selections on each of the three pull-down menus *AND* then click the box "Download strong U.S./Canada-only encryption if available."
6. Scroll to bottom of that page and click "Download for free".
7. *IF* there is a secure version available for what you've requested, you'll be required to fill out a form attesting that you meet the requirements, etc. Click the panel "I declare that the above is true".
8. If the form is accepted, then a save-dialog box will come up prompting you for the place to save on your system.

One thing to be aware of in all this is that you may discover at step 7 that there is no 128-bit version for the particular Netscape version that you've asked for.

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