Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-lcc!ames!vsi1!lmb
From: lmb@vicom.COM (Larry Blair)
Newsgroups: comp.mail.elm
Subject: Using crypt() in encode.c
Message-ID: <1366@vsi1.COM>
Date: 16 Jan 89 19:08:58 GMT
Organization: VICOM Systems Inc., San Jose, CA
Lines: 11

I've been talking with the guys who wrote "mush" about adding elm compatible
encryption to their mailer.  They are concerned about the fact the elm uses
crypt() in its encryption, since it isn't available outside of the U.S.

Looking at encode.c, I see that it is used the encrypt the user entered key
for use with the old Enigma rotor scheme.  I don't understand why that is
necessary.  What benefit is gained from encrypting the key?  I'm not a
cryptographer, but it seems to me that encrypting the key does not add
significantly to the security of the message.
-- 
Larry Blair   ames!vsi1!lmb   lmb@vicom.com