
This is an old note written 7/10/1994. It is still valid, but the program has
been updated to C# Console Version 7.0.x.xxxxx. The programs are compatible.

I agree, the weakest part of many a security system is too short of 
a passphrase or password.  I have developed a data encryption system 
called CRYP60.ZIP which uses a 144-bit key generated from 24 
characters of a 63 character set.  The following is taken from the 
documentation for the program:

A good scheme for choosing a key is to make up a phrase that makes 
no special sense but is at least 48 characters long. When this key 
is converted (hashed) to the 24-character key the characters will 
look random. For example, the eight input keys (or passphrases):

   1) YOU/SHOULD/MAKE/YOUR/KEYS/AT/LEAST/48/CHARACTERS
   2) TRY/TO/MAKE/YOUR/KEYS/EASY/TO/REMEMBER/BUT/HARD/TO/BREAK
   3) THE/WIND/BLOWS/THE/SNOW/FALLS/IT/WILL/NOT/BE/HOT
   4) A/NEST/IS/A/HOME/IF/YOU/ARE/A/BIRD/BUT/I/LIKE/MINE
   5) ROSE/HAS/HAD/TOO/MUCH/SAID/I/HAVE/NOTHING/TO/ADD
   6) ROPE/IT/CAN/BE/LONG/IT/CAN/BE/SHORT/BUT/NOT/FOR/ME
   7) EAGLE/WHAT/A/BIRD/IF/I/COULD/FLY/WOULD/BE/ONE/TOO
   8) BOOK/READ/ONE/TO/ME/READ/ONE/MYSELF/BUT/NOT/TO/YOU

produce the following eight 24-character keys:

   1) B>DRQJM](YTR_2(4%36G3**1
   2) U/1"@N)C422T+58;(>/9D2%"
   3) IKOR]SRMH[PVAHHNGXXIR2!!
   4) *J!!%88?I&##)#<282,2/*P2
   5) :@OEKD]OHK]S33:@!'M<55GD
   6) Y:W-Z^#_ZLHCVY3+KKC>8F&7
   7) $'99::+'/4,^XNSVXB\STXXG
   8) ._*'14,4%ORZ0]\WWVLGJ[MB

respectively. The long form of the key is easier to remember and 
easier to type, the short form is more random and harder to crack.

CRYP60.ZIP can be found on American Online and on the PIE BBS 408 
733-4670 (They may no longer be available from here).

CRYP60.ZIP and the new CrypC70 program are available at my web site:
http://www.geocities.com/hjsmithh/download.html#CRYP


