Difference between revisions 123927100 and 123927101 on dewiki

{{DISPLAYTITLE:_NSAKEY}}
'''_NSAKEY''' is a variable name discovered in [[Windows NT]] 4 Service Pack 5 (which had been released unstripped of its [[Debug symbol|symbolic debugging]] data) in August 1999 by Andrew D. Fernandes of [[Cryptonym Corporation]]. That variable contained a 1024-bit [[public key]].

== Overview ==
[[Microsoft]]'s operating systems require all cryptography suites that can go into its operating systems to have a digital signature. When only Microsoft-approved cryptography suites can be used, complying with the [[Export Administration Regulations]] (EAR) of the [[US Department of Commerce]], [[Bureau of Export Administration]] (BXA) (now known as the Bureau of Industry and Security or BIS) is easier. It was already known that Microsoft uses two keys, a primary and a spare, either of which can create valid signatures. The primary key is stored in the variable _KEY; Fernandes had discovered the second key.

Fernandes published his discovery, touching off a flurry of speculation and development of numerous [[conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]]. If the private half of that key were actually owned by the United States [[National Security Agency]], the NSA (as suggested by the name), it would allow that intelligence agency to subvert any Windows users's security.

In addition, Windows 2000 had a third key with an unknown purpose, found by Dr. Nicko van Someren.<ref>{{cite web |title=Microsoft, the NSA, and You |publisher=Cryptonym |date=1999-08-31 |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000617094917/http://www.cryptonym.com/hottopics/msft-nsa/msft-nsa.html |accessdate=2007-01-07}} ([[Internet Archive]] / [[Internet Archive#Wayback Machine|Wayback Machine]])</ref> Microsoft claims this is only in beta builds of Windows 2000 and that its use was for s(contracted; show full){{reflist}}

[[Category:Microsoft criticisms and controversies]]
[[Category:History of cryptography]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theories]]
[[Category:National Security Agency]]

[[fr:NSAKEY]]