This will allow Netscape Communicator users to access their banking information from almost anywhere in the world and communicate using strong encryption with those banks which have implemented Netscape SuiteSpot servers and completed the certification process. Today's breakthrough announcement marks the first time Netscape products with strong encryption have been made available to its customers outside the United States and Canada. The strength of encryption is largely a function of the length of the software keys measured in bits, the zeros and ones that make up the smallest unit of computer data. The larger the key size the more difficult it becomes for a person with malicious intent to decrypt communications. They are reliable institutions subject to strong regulatory oversight.
Banks are trustworthy when it comes to strong encryption.
International users who have Netscape Communicator do not need to download a new version of Netscape Communicator to take advantage of the strong encryption capabilities being announced today. Negotiation of the strong encryption between international versions of Netscape Communicator and Netscape SuiteSpot servers approved for export to banks occurs through a unique mechanism based on a special-use digital certificate. Approval of this certificate based mechanism is the culmination of months of effort between Netscape and numerous government agencies. Netscape and VeriSign have worked closely together to develop digital certificates that allow Netscape SuiteSpot servers to initiate strong communications sessions with Netscape Communicator. VeriSign will issue special-use digital certificates pending final approval from the United States Department of Commerce.