Server-Gated Cryptography (SGC) enables 128- or 256-bit
SSL encryption (depending on the browser, operating system and host
server), the most powerful SSL encryption commercially available today.
Over a Trillion Times a Trillion Times Stronger
When an SSL handshake occurs between a client
and server, a level of encryption is determined by the browser, the
client computer operating system, and the SSL Certificate. High-level
encryption, at 128 bits, can calculate 288 times as many
combinations as 40-bit encryption. That’s over a trillion times a trillion
times stronger. A hacker with the time, tools, and motivation to crack
40-bit encryption would require a trillion years to break into a session
protected by an SGC-enabled certificate.
128-Bit SSL Certificates
The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) enables 256-bit
encryption, much stronger than 128-bit. If your server operating system
and your site visitor’s browser support 256-bit encryption, then all
VeriSign SSL Certificates deliver this higher level of protection.
When Browsers Fail to Step Up to Strong Encryption
Even though an SSL Certificate is capable of
128-bit or 256-bit encryption, millions still use older computer systems
that are incapable of strong encryption. (Building
Blocks of Transparent Web Security: Server-Gated Cryptography, Yankee
Group, 2005.) These legacy browsers and operating systems
fail to step up to strong encryption without an SGC-enabled SSL Certificate:
- Certain Internet
Explorer browser versions from 4.01 to 5.01
- Certain Netscape
browser versions from 4.07 to 4.72
- Many Windows 2000
systems using Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer browser versions
prior to 3.02 and Netscape browser versions prior to 4.02 are not capable
of 128-bit encryption with any SSL Certificate.
Protect Customers with the Strongest Possible Encryption
Because Web site visitors
cannot easily determine the encryption strength of a given session,
they depend on the site owner to protect them. True 128-Bit SSL Certificates
enable every site visitor to experience the strongest SSL encryption
available to them. VeriSign is the leading SSL provider of SGC-enabled
SSL Certificates, enabling 128- or 256-bit encryption to over 99.9%
of Web site visitors.
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