Abstract: There is described a key server which is connected to a local area network, and an encryption authority transfers private keys for clients of the local area network to the key server. In an embodiment, the key server encrypts outgoing emails using public keys for the recipients and decrypts internal emails using private keys for the recipients. In another embodiment, the clients of the local area network download their respective private keys from the key server so that encryption operations may be performed by client software.

Abstract: There is described a computer network system in which a computer is in network communication with a server. In order to install a software package on the computer, installation software forming part of the software package is executed which requests entry of an email address for the user of the software package on the computer. The entered email address is then transmitted to the server, which in response sends an email to the email address including a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) addressing a local web server forming part of the software package, with installation information being appended to the URL. When the user of the computer accesses the URL using a web browser, the local web server automatically sends the installation information to the installation software. In this way, it is established that the user of the software package has access to the entered email address.

Abstract: There is described a key server which is connected to a local area network, and an encryption authority transfers private keys for clients of the local area network to the key server. In an embodiment, the key server encrypts outgoing emails using public keys for the recipients and decrypts internal emails using private keys for the recipients. In another embodiment, the clients of the local area network download their respective private keys from the key server so that encryption operations may be performed by client software.

Abstract: There is described a computer network system in which a computer is in network communication with a server. In order to install a software package on the computer, installation software forming part of the software package is executed which requests entry of an email address for the user of the software package on the computer. The entered email address is then transmitted to the server, which in response sends an email to the email address including a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) addressing a local web server forming part of the software package, with installation information being appended to the URL. When the user of the computer accesses the URL using a web browser, the local web server automatically sends the installation information to the installation software. In this way, it is established that the user of the software package has access to the entered email address.