Secure distribution of electronic documents in a hostile environment

Authors:
Aviel D Rubin
Affiliations:
Bellcore, 445 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960, USA
Venue:
Computer Communications
Year:
1995

Citing 2
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Abstract

This paper offers a solution to the problem of secure distribution of electronic documents in a hostile environment such as the Internet. The problem is that documents available for distribution can be altered with no accountability. If the electronic document is software, it inherits the privileges of the user who runs it. Unfortunately, it is common for users to execute software obtained on the Internet with no assurance that it is genuine. The solution offered here utilizes a trusted third party that signs certificates to identify the author of an electronic document and to secure its integrity. A detailed design is provided. Finally, Bellcore's Trusted Software Integrity (Betsi) System, an implementation of the design, is presented.