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1.01 -
Introduction to the Zendit System |
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Zendit enables Internet
users to take control of their digital data by becoming
encryption-enabled. You can send and receive
encrypted and digitally signed email communications
without changing your email address or your email
system. Zendit messages are encrypted individually for
each recipient, sealed with the sender's Digital
Signature and time-stamped. These security measures mean
that no one except the intended recipient can read the
message. Because every Zendit message is digitally
signed, the recipient is assured of the sender's email
identity. Compose a message, and instead of
clicking the send button, click the "Zendit"
button.
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1.02. How Zendit works with your Web Mail |
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The Zendit Surfboard for
Internet Explorer is a toolbar that sits at the bottom
of your browser. To open the Surfboard, click on
the blue z>
icon in the IE toolbar. When you are in the
compose page of your web mail all you have to do is
click the Zendit
button and the email will be encrypted and sent.
When you have received an encrypted email, just click
the DZend
button on the surfboard and the email will be
decrypted. All email is encrypted and decrypted
locally on YOUR computer, you control the encryption
process. When you DZend an encrypted email it is
always stored encrypted at the web mail servers even
after you have decrypted it. The only person that
can read the email is you with your Private Key .
For a list of supported sites see:
http://www.authora.com/supportedsites.asp. If
your web mail provider is not supported, send us a
request at
support@authora.com and we will let you know when it
is supported.
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1.03 - How
Zendit works with Outlook |
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Zendit for Outlook is a
plug-in. A blue z>
icon
will appear in your Outlook Toolbar. Compose your
messages as usual and click "Z>" --> "Zendit"
,
you may also click the icon with an envelope and lock .
Your email will be encrypted, or encrypted and sent,
depending on which option you selected. You can
set Zendit options to always encrypt on send. If
you are have trouble using Zendit in Outlook you may
have your default set to html. Version 1.0 of
Zendit does not encrypt HTML. You must change your
mail settings to Plain Text.
In the Outlook Toolbar
Select: Tools > Options > Mail Format > Plain Text
(or Rich Text)
To decrypt messages in
outlook just click DZend
or the icon with an envelope and key .
The system cannot decrypt messages in the preview pane,
you must open the message to decrypt.
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1.04 - How
Zendit works with Desktop Files |
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Right click on any
document and select Zendit. A Wizard will appear
that will guide you through finding the appropriate Lock
for encrypting your documents. If you want to
encrypt so only you can open it, use your Lock. If
you want to encrypt it to yourself and someone else,
select your Lock and the recipient's Lock. This is
a useful tool for attachments to e-mails.
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1.05 -
Downloading Zendit |
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The first
step in the process of using Zendit and becoming
encryption-enabled is to download and install the Zendit
System. The download and installation process is free.
The Zendit System software comes bundled with the Zendit
secure messaging programs for Outlook, Internet Explorer
for your web mail, and a shell extension to secure your
Desktop files.
To
download the Zendit System:
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Exit all instances of
Outlook and Internet Explorer.
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Point
your browser to
http://www.authora.com/default.asp (or if you
have received an encrypted e-mail and a follow up
e-mail from Zendit, just follow the instructions).
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Click one of the "Free
Download" or "Join Now" links.
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Make
sure that you understand the export restrictions of
the product and affirm that you are not located in a
prohibited export destination.
Please
review the statement carefully before agreeing to it
as the
United States Government has strict guidelines for the
distribution of encryption technology.
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When the
download process begins, you will be prompted to
either open the file from the current location or save
it to disk. Choose "Open From Current Location."
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When the
download is complete, the install Wizard will begin.
Simply click through the standard installation
questions.
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We
strongly recommend using the default settings.
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We
recommend selecting Zendit for Outlook, Zendit for
Internet Explorer (NOTE: Zendit does NOT integrate
with Outlook Express) and Zendit shell extension for
your desktop confidentiality.
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You will need to check
your Inbox for a confirmation e-mail from Zendit to
verify
that you have access to the e-mail address you wish to
encryption-enable. Click on the confirmation
link. If you generate your own Lock and Key, you
will again need to confirm your new Lock via a
confirmation e-mail from Zendit. These are
security steps that protect you from others
masquerading as you. Once confirmation is
complete your Zendit account will be activated.
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1.06 - Setting up Zendit
on your PC |
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Once download has competed
set up will start automatically, if you selected "Run
From Current Location". If you chose to save to
disk, you will need to find where you saved the Zendit
executable and begin set up. We strongly suggest
using the default settings. You will be prompted
to generate your own Lock and Key. Be sure to
enter a valid e-mail address to encryption-enable.
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1.07 - Getting the
latest version of Zendit |
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From time to time, updated
versions of The Zendit System will be available for
download and installation. You will be notified of new
version availability by e-mail, or in certain instances,
during use of the Zendit program. You will not
need to re-register. New
versions of Zendit will use the same Zendit Locks and
Keys you already have. You do not need to
re-create them.
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1.08 - System Requirements |
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The Zendit system works
with Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT, 2000, ME, XP. The
Zendit plug-in for Internet Explorer works with IE 4.0
and up.
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1.09 - Registering with
Zendit |
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You may register with the
Zendit System from the website
http://www.authora.com. Alternately, if you receive
an e-mail from Zendit informing you that someone has
sent you an encrypted e-mail, register with Zendit by
following the link in the e-mail.
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1.10 - Other Platforms?
Can I use the Zendit System from Unix or Solaris? |
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The Zendit System is
currently supported by the Windows platform only.
When Zendit is available in other platforms the
registered users will be informed. This
information can also be found at the Zendit website
http://www.authora.com/.
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1.11 - Is Zendit Free? |
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Zendit is a free service
to individuals. We license our software and services for
commercial use.
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2.01 -
Creating Zendit messages |
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Type your e-mail as usual.
In web mail click the Zendit button on the Zendit
Surfboard, instead of "send". In Outlook, click
Zendit in the toolbar, "Z >" --> "Zendit".
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2.02 -
Attaching files to a Zendit message
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Version 1.0 of the Zendit
System requires you to encrypt the file before you
attach it. Right click on the document and select
Zendit encrypt. The Zendit Wizard will guide you
through the process.
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2.03 -
Sending and signing a Zendit message
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Once you click Zendit, the
system will find the Public Lock for the recipient.
If the System is unable to find the Lock in your Local
Vault, it will search the Public Lock Directory. The
System will prompt you for approval before importing
someone's Lock or if it can't find a Public Lock, it
will ask if you would like to encryption-enable the
recipient. Once the Lock is found, the System will
ask you to enter your password to digitally sign the
document. The e-mail will be encrypted and sent.
Average time is a few seconds.
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2.04 -
Saving a copy of a Zendit message
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If your e-mail is set up
to save all outgoing messages the Zendit System will
always encrypt to your Public Lock as well as the
recipient's. To open messages you have encrypted and
sent in your Sent Items just click DZend. This is
true for web mail as well.
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2.05 -
Checking Spelling and Spell-Check Preferences
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Always spell check
before you Zendit. Spell checker is
dangerous to encrypted messages. Immediately
cancel the spell checker if it is trying to "correct" an
encrypted message. If you allow spell checker
to change any part of an encrypted message no one will
ever be able to read it.
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2.06 -
Digitally Signing E-mail |
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When you Zendit, your email is automatically digitally
signed. If you just want to
digitally sign your e-mail (not encrypt and sign), click
on the signing key icon
on
the Surfboard or in a compose window in Outlook and you
will be prompted to enter your password to access
your Private Key. The system then generates a
unique digital signature based on your Lock and Key.
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3.01 -
Reading Zendit messages |
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< < < < <
<PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION> > > > > >
Zendit
messages arrive in your regular inbox:
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Web mail:
To
decrypt the message, click DZend
on the Zendit Surfboard in
Internet Explorer. You will be prompted to enter
the password you chose to protect access to your
Private Key. The message will be decrypted and
displayed in your browser. If you click back or
forward in your browser or reply or forward in your
web mail, the message will be encrypted again.
The message is stored in encrypted form on your web
mail provider's servers. Similarly, if you
select forward, the person you are forwarding the
message to will not be able to read the message unless
they are the sender of the original message.
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Outlook:
Click on the DZend button or the icon with the
envelope and key in your Outlook toolbar. You
will be prompted to enter the password you chose to
protect access to your Private Key. The message
will be decrypted and displayed. If you choose
to close the read window, you will be asked if you
would like to save the changes to the message.
Select NO if you want the message to be stored in
encrypted form in your Inbox. Select YES if you want
the message to be stored in unencrypted form.
Zendit cannot decrypt messages in the preview pain.
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3.02 - Opening a Zendit message
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To decrypt a message
click the DZend
button or
icon
and enter your password to access your Private Key (you
may cache your password if you want to remove this
security step).
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3.03 - Replying to a Zendit message
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When you reply to a
Zendit message in web mail:
The original message will
be re-encrypted. If you do not want it to be
re-encrypted, you will need to copy the decrypted
message and open a new compose window and paste the
original message.
When you reply to a
Zendit message in Outlook:
If you have decrypted the
message and have clicked reply, the message will remain
decrypted. If you click Zendit, the message will
be encrypted using the recipient's Public Lock and your
Public Lock.
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3.04 - Forwarding a Zendit message
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When you forward
a Zendit message in web mail:
The original message will
be re-encrypted. If you do not want it to be
re-encrypted then you will need to copy the decrypted
message and open a new compose window and paste the
original message.
When you forward
a Zendit message in Outlook:
If you have decrypted the
message and have clicked forward, the message will
remain decrypted. If you click Zendit, the message
will be encrypted with the recipient's Public Lock and
your Public Lock.
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3.05 - Saving a Zendit message
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In web mail:
All incoming and outgoing
Zendit messages are always stored encrypted in your
Inbox and Sent Items even if you have decrypted them to
view them.
(You can always read
your Sent Items by clicking DZend because when you
Zendit, all out going messages are also encrypted to
your Public Lock.) If
you would like to save a decrypted Zendit message, you
will need to copy the decrypted text and paste it into a
new compose page and save the decrypted data as a
draft.
In Outlook:
All incoming and outgoing
Zendit messages are stored encrypted in your Inbox and
Sent Items even if you have decrypted them to view them.
(You can always read your Sent Items by clicking
DZend because when you Zendit, all out going messages
are also encrypted to your Public Lock.) If you
want to save a decrypted Zendit message in Outlook then
you will need to select the "save changes" option
Outlook gives you when you are attempting to close a
decrypted message. If you select this option, the
e-mail will be stored unencrypted in your inbox.
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3.06 - Validating the sender's Zendit Signature
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When you DZend any
message, Zendit automatically checks the validity of the
sender's digital signature, whether the e-mail has been
tampered with, and the timestamp of the e-mail. A
box will appear with a quick view of the validity of the
signature. You are given an option to view
details. You can also at anytime check the
signature details by clicking on the verify button.
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4.01 -
Working with the Zendit Vault |
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The Zendit Vault is the
next generation of what cryptographers refer to as a Key
Ring. Your Vault is where you store and manage
your Locks and Keys. You may also access other
encryption and decryption functions from your Vault,
like file and text encryption/decryption wizards.
You need to be logged in to the Zendit System to use the
majority of features in your Vault. We encourage
you to get to know your Vault as future versions of the
Zendit System will employ many new features utilizing
the Vault.
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4.02 - Local Vault |
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Your Local
Vault is where your Private Keys and Public Locks are
stored. You need to be logged in to the Zendit
System to view and manage your Locks and Keys.
Your Local Vault is linked to your Web Vault. If
you are using a different computer and are going on a
business trip or on vacation and don't have time to make
a copy of your Private Key on a floppy, simply back up
your Private Key to your Web Vault and you can log in to
the Zendit System at another computer and restore it.
(Better Delete it after you're done!)
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4.03 - Web Vault |
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Your Web Vault is where
you manage your Locks and Keys online. You may
access your Web Vault by logging in to the Zendit System
via our website or via your Local Vault.
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4.04 - Managing Locks and Keys |
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You may manage your Locks
and Keys in your Local Vault by first selecting the Lock
or Key you wish to manage and then use the Vault's
toolbar. You may also right click the selected
Lock or Key to access the management options.
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4.05 - Generating a Lock and Key / Certificate |
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Click the 'create' icon in
the Local Vault Toolbar and the wizard will guide you
through the process. Or you may select "Keys" -->
"New Lock and Key".
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4.06 - Backing up Locks and Keys |
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Click the 'backup' icon in
your Local Vault, or right click the Lock and Key you
wish to back-up and select 'Backup'.
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4.07 - Viewing Details of Locks and Keys |
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You may view the details
of any Locks and Keys by double clicking the Lock or Key
in both your Local and Web Vaults.
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4.08 - Importing Locks and Keys |
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Click the 'import' icon in
your Local Vault and a Wizard will guide you through the
process. Alternatively, you can search any PGP Key
Server and when you find the Public Key you wish to
import displayed on a web page, click DZend on the
Surfboard and the Zendit System will locate the key and
guide you through import. The same is true if a
Public Key is located in an e-mail, click DZend in both
Outlook or on the Zendit Surfboard in IE.
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4.09 - Deleting Locks and Keys |
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Select the Lock or Key you
wish to delete, click the 'delete' icon or right click
and select the delete option in the menu. If you
attempt to delete one of your Private Keys you will be
prompted for a password. Remember, if you delete a
Private Key you will not be able to open e-mails or
other data that was encrypted using the associated Lock.
Ever. (Unless you have a copy stored elsewhere on
your computer, have backed it up in your Web Vault or
burned it on a CD or copied it to a floppy.)
Careful with your Key.
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Miscellaneous faqs ......... |
1. Who can I "Zendit" emails to? What happens if I try
to "Zendit" to someone
who’s not a registered Zendit user? |
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With the Zendit System you
can Zendit encrypted e-mail to anyone whether or not
they are a registered user of Zendit. Zendit works with
Windows, so if the recipient of an encrypted e-mail is
not a Windows user there will be issues. Until we
have other platforms supported, we are working on
directing non-windows users to other PGP programs that
will work with their system. When you "Zendit",
you’re sending |
