PC Validation of a program

["Steve Glanstein" <mic@xxxxxxxxx>]

Just some interest:

We validate programs by using a program called MD5.  The source for this
program is in one of the Internet RFCs. (I think it is RFC 1321)

The sequence is as follows:

MD5 program-name

It will generate a message digest of 128 bits or 16 hex digits.  It is
computationally not feasible to reproduce the same message digest.  This
permits validation of any object sent via the Internet.

For example, the program MD5 itself has a validation code of:

        MD5 (md5.exe) = 62b84096d1b2234fdcd79c89c4e8c429

If I send a program as an attachment, then I can execute MD5 and send you
the validation separately.  It can be independantly confirmed that the
program was not tampered with.

(For cryptography buffs - The source for this is available via the
Internet.)

Any interest?

Steve Glanstein
mic@aloha.com

+---
| This is the Midrange System Mailing List!
| To submit a new message, send your mail to MIDRANGE-L@midrange.com.
| To subscribe to this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-SUB@midrange.com.
| To unsubscribe from this list send email to MIDRANGE-L-UNSUB@midrange.com.
| Questions should be directed to the list owner/operator: david@midrange.com
+---