Re: Crypto problems again

[Lars Magne Ingebrigtsen <larsi@gnus.org>]

Lars Magne Ingebrigtsen <larsi@gnus.org> writes:

> Simon Josefsson <jas@extundo.com> writes:
>
>> What's the definition of crypto code?  For example, does an elisp
>> wrapper around GnuTLS count?  A wrapper around GnuPG?  Emacs contains
>> a MD5 implementation in C, is it "crypto"?  Or MD4, SHA-1?  Are
>> authentication mechanisms based on hashing, like CRAM-MD5, "crypto"?
>
> Ok; I'll ask RMS...

And here's the response from RMS:

----------

    What's the definition of crypto code? 

I will explain how I understand the matter.  However, why ask me when
you can learn from experts?  There must be web sites that explain this
issue in detail.  I don't know which sites, but you can find them more
easily than I can.

					   For example, does an elisp
    wrapper around GnuTLS count?

Yes.

				  A wrapper around GnuPG?

Yes.  Anything designed specifically to work with an encryption
program is encryption-related code.  However, the existence of general
hooks that could be used for anything does not constitute
encryption-related code.

							   Emacs contains
    a MD5 implementation in C, is it "crypto"?

No, checksums do not count as encryption.

						Or MD4, SHA-1?

I never heard of them and I don't know what they do,
so I cannot answer.

								Are
    authentication mechanisms based on hashing, like CRAM-MD5, "crypto"?

Authentication does not count as encryption.

------------

-- 
(domestic pets only, the antidote for overdose, milk.)
  larsi@gnus.org * Lars Magne Ingebrigtsen