-=> On 12-10-02  22:05,  Steven Horn <=-
 -=> spoke to Dale Shipp about NodelistGuide or FAQ <=-

 DS>    Although the communication is not point to point (i.e. takes
 DS> many    hops), the information is secured point to point (i.e. your
 DS> computer    encrypts it and the bank computer decrypts it -- both
 DS> according to an    agreed on secret that no one else has).

 SH> I assume that this means I have to connect the secure 
 SH> server used by my banking site or e-commerce site first.

  Not directly, but using public key technology (e.g. RSA or PGP or ECC)
  you and the bank use open links to establish a shared secret which
  will not be available to others.  Then you send your encrypted
  information over the internet between the two points.

  Whenever you get the MSIE banner talking about a secure site, that is
  in essence what is going on in the background between your computer
  and that site.
 
 SH> I find that after seven years of direct involvement with 
 SH> the Internet, I still have lots to learn.

   After almost 45 years of direct involvement with Computers, I still
   have a lot to learn.


                        dale (at) min (dot) net
                              (1:261/1466)


... Shipwrecked on Hesperus in Columbia, Maryland. 12:09:25, 11 Dec 2002
___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30

--- Maximus/NT 3.01