---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 5 Feb 1995 19:07:26 -0800
SENDER: Deanna Leung <deanna@spry.com>
Subject: SPRY Offers First S-HTTP Web Server for Free
SPRY OFFERS FIRST SECURE-HTTP WEB SERVER FOR FREE EVALUATION BY THE INTERNET
COMMUNITY
Dun & Bradstreet to Test and Evaluate SPRYs Prototype Software
SEATTLE, WA - February 6, 1995 -- For the first time, companies and developers
looking for technology enabling secure transactions over the Internet are able
to evaluate a server based on the open standard, Secure-Hypertext Transfer
Protocol (S-HTTP), SPRY Incorporated announced today.
SPRYs SafetyWEB is based on Secure-HTTP, a non-proprietary standard that uses
public key encryption designed to guard against on-line theft of critical
information such as credit card numbers and bank statements. Interested
parties may submit an application at www.spry.com and receive a free copy of
the software.
We are making the prototype of SafetyWEB available to the Internet community
at large because SPRY is committed to working with software partners and
developers in providing a total solution for electronic commerce, said David
Pool, president of SPRY. Ultimately, coupling the non-proprietary,
standards-based technology from the CERN architecture, and EIT and Terisa
Systems Secure-HTTP security technology, SPRY will provide a compelling
solution for Web administrators.
For electronic commerce to really succeed, a leading Internet company like
SPRY must provide open, standards-based solutions, said Tim Berners-Lee,
creator of the World Wide Web. SafetyWEB is significant because it is the
first manifestation of an industry-wide collaboration in security over the
Web.
SPRY, Incorporated, developers of the award winning Internet In A Box and the
AIR Series have released SafetyWEB v0.5, a prototype of the first commercially
available Secure-HTTP server software. SPRYs security server will complement
their popular Internet client software and provide organizations with the
ability to transmit encrypted data over the Internet. With SafetyWEB,
companies will be able to exchange confidential information such as
credit-card numbers with the assurance of privacy.
SafetyWEB - Providing a Secure Solution for Electronic Commerce
SafetyWEB will encrypt and authenticate data as its transferred between any
Secure-HTTP browser. Any HTTP client will also be able to access the secure
server; however, users will not be able to use the secure capabilities.
Secure-HTTP, which was developed by Terisa Systems, is a security enhanced
version of the World Wide Webs internal communications language. Adopted by
numerous members of the Web community, including Spyglass, NetScape
Communications and various CommerceNet members [Editors Note: For a complete
listing of Secure-HTTP supporters, please refer to enclosed document titled,
Secure-HTTP], Secure-HTTP is quickly becoming the industry standard for
security.
The prototype of SafetyWEB is based on CERNs Web server implementation and
will make electronic commerce a reality for corporations. It includes the
full gamut of encryption, client and server authentication and digital
signature standards. Other features include:
- Secure Public Key Encryption, protects the privacy of commercial
enterprises by encrypting the transfer of data over an unsecure network;
- Secure Public Key Authentication, allows the server to verify the identity
of a customer and vice versa;
- Secure Basic Authentication, allows people who do not possess public keys,
the ability to authenticate with the use of a user name and password;
- Access Control Lists, enable Web administrators to manage their customers
access rights to secure documents;
- Document Caching and Proxy Server Support, provides higher performance and
Web server protection from intruders.
In future releases, SPRY will be incorporating many additional features and
utilities into the SafteyWEB product. These features will include:
- SQL Database Support, enabling the integration of SafetyWEB into an
in-house SQL database. Companies will be able to automatically generate
documents already stored on an internal database;
- Authoring and Installation Tools, allowing users to create HTML documents
using Word for Windows or WordPerfect
- Configuration Tools and Utilities, allowing users to automatically
configure the server and access control lists;
- Web Setup with Templates, enabling users to automatically format new data.
Testing at Dun & Bradstreet
Dun & Bradstreet Information Services is currently testing the beta version of
SPRYs SafetyWEB. The information company, which maintains the worlds
largest database of information on over 38 million businesses, will be using
SafetyWEB to introduce its beta product to customers around the world.
Based on D&Bs extensive research, the company is currently offering free
information on the Internet that includes business how-tos and economic and
trend information. The business how-tos focus specifically on international
business, strategic planning, target marketing, credit management, supplier
relationships and job-search opportunities.
D&Bs business trend information covers worldwide regional growth, industry
profitability and growth, market segment growth, slow payment and business
failures, risk in supplier portfolios and job growth potential.
Dun & Bradstreet is very excited about SafetyWEB, said Frank Fitzsimmons,
vice president of Portfolio Applications at Dun & Bradstreet Information
Services. As the worlds leading information company, D&B is ready and able
to act as the trusted third-party that brings together businesses and
individuals that want to conduct commerce safely and securely on the Internet.
Now that SPRY has developed SafetyWEB, D&B is actively working with partners
that can help develop new applications, software and information content for
the Internet.
Pricing and Availability
Companies or individuals who are interested in testing the prototype of
SafetyWEB should go to www.spry.com and submit an application. Accepted
applicants will have SafetyWEB and a secure Web client mailed to them.
Information on SafetyWEB is also available at the following homepages:
www.terisa.com/./whatsnew.html or
www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/SDG/Software/Mosaic/NCSAMosaicHome.html.
The prototype of SafetyWEB will be provided as public domain with copyright
for testing and development. Commercial redistribution rights will be
negotiated separately.
SPRY, Inc.
SPRY, Inc., is the leading developer of Internet access applications for the
office, home and publishing markets. Founded in 1987, the privately held
company is based in Seattle, Wash. SPRY brings networked connectivity to the
Windows desktop through three products: the AIR Series, Internet In A Box and
Mosaic In A Box. The AIR Series is a corporate network solution designed to
provide PC to UNIX, mainframe and Internet connectivity through a full suite
of applications. Internet In A Box provides the remote dial-up user with full
Internet connectivity. Mosaic In A Box is an entry-level Internet access
solution providing consumers with plug and play access to the Internets
World Wide Web.
SPRY can be reached at 1-800-SPRYNET (777-9638), info@spry.com, or you can
access their WWW server at http://www.spry.com.
Dun & Bradstreet
D&B is a member of CommerceNet, a consortium of companies that is establishing
an Internet-based network where firms can transact business electronically,
and the National Information Infrastructure Testbed (NIIT), a consortium of
private companies, government agencies and academic institutions that will
help develop the information superhighway. Dun & Bradstreet Information
Services, North America, is a company of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, the
worlds leading marketer of information, software and services for business
decision making. The companys World Wide Web address is
http://www.dbisna.com.
# # #
Company contact:
Deanna Leung
SPRY, Incorporated
206/442-8231
deanna@spry.com
Pam Spiridon
Dun & Bradstreet
908/665-5105
Agency contact:
Chip Hall
Niehaus Ryan Haller PR
415-615-7914
chip@nrh.com
All brands, products and service names mentioned are trademarks or registered
service marks of their respective owners.
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+--------------------o00------(_)-------------------------------+
I Deanna Leung I
I Corporate Communications I
I SPRY, Incorporated I
I deanna@spry.com I
I Phone: (206) 442-8231 I
I WWW: http://www.spry.com I
I I
I "Developers of the AIR Series and Internet In A Box" I
I I
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