What is Server-Gated Cryptography (SGC)?
U.S. government restrictions on U.S. vendors prevented the export of strong cryptography several years ago. As a result, many people purchased computers or downloaded export version browsers supporting only 40- or 56-bit SSL encryption. Microsoft developed “Server Gated Cryptography” (“SGC”) and Netscape developed “step-up” technology to enable 128-bit SSL encryption with export browser versions. SGC allows users with an export version browser to temporarily step-up to 128-bit SSL encryption if they visit a Web site with an SGC-enabled SSL Certificate. Without an SGC certificate on the Web server, Web browsers and PCs that do not support 128-bit strong encryption will receive only 40- or 56-bit encryption.
U.S. government restrictions on U.S. vendors prevented the export of “strong” cryptography several years ago. As a result, many people purchased computers or downloaded export version browsers supporting only 40- or 56-bit SSL encryption. Microsoft developed “Server Gated Cryptography” (“SGC”) and Netscape developed “step-up” technology to enable 128-bit SSL encryption with export browser versions. SGC allows users with an export version browser to temporarily step-up to 128-bit SSL encryption if they visit a Web site with an SGC-enabled SSL Certificate. Without an SGC certificate on the Web server, Web browsers and PCs that do not support 128-bit strong encryption will receive only 40- or 56-bit encryption.
