Path: utzoo!lsuc!hcr!edwin
From: edwin@hcr.UUCP (Edwin Hoogerbeets)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Viruses
Message-ID: <3536@hcr.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 30-Jun-88 12:31:11 EST
Article-I.D.: hcr.3536
Reply-To: edwin@hcr.UUCP (Edwin Hoogerbeets)
Distribution: world
Organization: HCR Corporation, Toronto
Lines: 28
Summary:  Condoms For Software (Inc). or should that be hardware :-)

Keywords:

There is an article in the latest FidoNET news about using Public Key
Encryption as a means of distributing safe software. The article
appeared in comp.org.fidonet (v5n26 digest) on 'page' 9. The idea was
to have each developer have his/her own signature key to encrypt files.
Or to have the files encrypted by some trusted persons (moderators?)
that we know have distributed virus free software before.

In light of the recent Amiga viruses, maybe someone should look into
this. 

I have difficulty imagining how you could do this safely, however. A
large database of keys would have to be kept. If someone is new to the
public domain market for their own machine (hi there), it would be
difficult to establish their reputation as they start producing
software. Also, who is to say that viruses will	not accidentally get
encryted into the final distribution file. hmmm.


------ --------- -------------------------------------------
Edwin (Deepthot)                      Waterloo co-op student, HCR Corporation
Hoogerbeets		   If you can't stand the cold, get into the kitchen!
utai!{utzoo,utcsri}!hcr!edwin                 Null human body; hope that's ok
                      edwin@hcr        //                     Me Tarzan, Unix
or:                                   //                      I/owe is costly
...!hcr!MsgPort!edwin             \\ //   Amiga	      This mind intentionally
A 2000 running UUPC                \X/    Enthusiast               left blank