Microsoft KB Archive/331488

= Outlook Express does not use 3DES to encrypt mail when the recipient's capabilities are not known =

Article ID: 331488

Article Last Modified on 11/15/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 Service Pack 1

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This article was previously published under Q331488





SYMPTOMS
All versions of Outlook Express, including the version that is shipped with Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, use RC2 40-bit encryption when the recipient's encryption capabilities are unknown.



RESOLUTION
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

The English version of this fix has the file attributes (or later) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in coordinated universal time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time tool in Control Panel. Date        Time   Version             Size   File name --  02-May-2003  15:54  6.0.2800.1196   1,175,040  Msoe.dll This fix permits you to use 3DES instead of 40-bit encryption when the recipient's encryption capabilities are not known.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.



MORE INFORMATION
After you apply this hotfix, the following registry key is added. If you turn on this key, Outlook Express uses 3DES encryption for unknown capabilities.

Value Name: Encrypt Using 3DES

Data Type : REG_DWORD

Value: 1

To activate the fix on Windows XP Service Pack 2, the following registry key must be created :

Where &quot;your_user_name&quot; is your User name on your computer.

Value Name: Encrypt Using 3DES

Data Type : REG_DWORD

Value: 1

Keywords: kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbbug kbfix kbie600presp2fix kbqfe KB331488

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