Outlook Express does not use 3DES to encrypt mail when the recipient's capabilities are not known (331488)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1

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 fix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to computers that are experiencing this specific problem. This fix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Internet Explorer 6 service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:NOTE: In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The typical support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

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.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0\Required Settings

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 :

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\your_user_name\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0
Where "your_user_name" is your User name on your computer.

Value Name: Encrypt Using 3DES
Data Type : REG_DWORD
Value: 1


Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/11/2005
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbIE600preSP2fix kbQFE KB331488