Although legislation has been passed in the UK recognising the legal validity of digital signatures, these broadly defined laws have not yet been tested in the courts. This is likely to happen over the next few years. This will include the testing of the value of any certification of electronic signatures provided by a trusted third party, and also of the quality, security and standing of any encryption technologies used. There is as yet no globally accepted encryption technology standard.

What are Hash Totals (Also known as Message Digest)?

A Hash Total algorithm is a software application which generates from an input file an output number. The identical input file will always generate the same output number. Any change in a given input file, even just one individual character, will result in a totally different output number being generated. Hence Hash Totals are used to check data integrity.

What are Bio-Metrics?

A physical attribute of the transaction originator (thumb-print, voice recognition, retina scan) is electronically attached to the transaction and compared to an authentic master by the recipient. Currently bio-metrics are seldom used as the costs are prohibitive but this could change in th英语论文网 【http://www.51lunwen.org】e future. Widespread use of bio-metrics may also raise significant privacy concerns if a central database is established by the State. However, if the information is contained on a smart card and is only used to verify the owner’s identity then it may not raise significant privacy concerns.

What are Transaction Certificates?

These are used mainly in B2C scenarios where a supplier needs to be able to authenticate a high volume of transactions with many different customers. The customer obtains a certificate from a registered CSP and provides the certificate to the supplier. The supplier in turn verifies with the CSP that the certificate is of a valid customer. Various organisations have registered as a CSP, including British Telecom.

Similar services are provided to companies by Identrus (http://www.identrus.com/) which is owned by a consortium of the global banking groups.

What is a Firewall?

A firewall is the name used in the construction Industry to describe a wall designed to prevent fire spreading within a building. A firewall restricts access to the Internet from within a business and also restricts external access from the Internet into the business. The firewall is configured to enforce the business security arrangements and to check communications across the Firewall in either direction for complian 本文来自：英语论文网 【http://www.51lunwen.org】