How to Upgrade Internet Explorer to 128-Bit Encryption

ID: Q195833

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.02, 4.0, 4.01 Service Pack 2, 5 for Windows 95
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.02, 4.0, 4.01 Service Pack 2, 5 for Windows NT 4.0
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.01a, 4.0, 4.5 for Macintosh
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.03 Service Pack 1, 4.0, 5 for Windows 3.1
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 3.03 Service Pack 1, 4.0, 5 for Windows NT 3.51
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.0, 4.01 Service Pack 2, 5 for Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.01, 5 for UNIX on HPUX
Microsoft Internet Explorer versions 4.01, 5 for UNIX on Sun Solaris
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

SUMMARY

Internet Explorer supports two levels of encryption, 40-bit and 128-bit. The standard 40-bit versions include Server Gated Cryptography (SGC) technology, which allows international customers to conduct 128-bit transactions with banks and financial institutions (that support SGC) around the world. For more information about SGC, please see the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/tech/sgc/default.asp

While Internet Explorer with 40-bit (SGC) encryption is available worldwide, Internet Explorer with full 128-bit encryption is available in the United States (or its territories, possessions and dependencies) and Canada only. If you have installed Internet Explorer with 40-bit (SGC) encryption and are in the United States (or its territories, possessions and dependencies) or Canada, you can upgrade to Internet Explorer with full 128-bit encryption.

MORE INFORMATION

To upgrade Internet Explorer to 128-bit encryption, visit the following Microsoft Web site, and then follow the instructions on the screen:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/download/128bit/intro.htm

NOTE: To upgrade Internet Explorer 3.02 on Windows NT 4.0, download and install the 128-bit version of the Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 3 (SP3) or later. To do this, visit the following Microsoft Web site.

http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/nts/downloads/

To connect to this Web site in Internet Explorer 5, click Help, click About Internet Explorer, and then click Update Information.

Note that you may not be able to download the 128-bit version upgrade for all platforms. If an upgrade is not available for your platform you must download a 128-bit browser only (or browser and components) package from the above link and reinstall it over your current version.

NOTE: The 128-bit versions of Internet Explorer are no longer available from Microsoft on CD-ROM.

If you receive an error message from the 128-bit download server indicating that you are not authorized to download this product or there was a problem with the WHOIS query, your domain name, your IP address, or DNS entry, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q175565 Unable to Download 128-Bit Encryption Software from Microsoft

NOTE: Because it is illegal to export 128-bit encryption technology outside of the United States (or its territories, possessions and dependencies) and Canada, you are required to fill in an online form stating you meet certain legal criteria before you are allowed to download the upgrade.

U.S. law prevents Microsoft from exporting 128-bit browsers to countries outside the United States (or its territories, possessions and dependencies) and Canada. To download a 128-bit upgrade or browser package you must agree to an export notice online. In addition, you must connect to the download server from a United States (or its territories, possessions and dependencies) or Canadian Internet service provider (the download server will verify this).

If you require full 128-bit support outside the United States (or its territories, possessions and dependencies) or Canada, there are several Dept. of Commerce License Exceptions that allow the temporary export of over 56-bit encryption for personal use only on laptops that are hand carried overseas. For additional information on exporting Microsoft product overseas, see the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/exporting

Additional query words: 4.00 5.00

Keywords : kbsetup msiew95 msiew31 msiemac
Version : MACINTOSH:3.01a,4.0,4.5; UNIX:4.01,5; WINDOWS:3.02,3.03 Service Pack 1,4.0,4.01 Service Pack 2,5
Platform : MACINTOSH UNIX WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto