Abstract: The invention relates to ways for more efficiently receiving information with a set top box. In one embodiment, a method for distributing a message in a conditional access system is disclosed. In one step authorization information is received and stored by a conditional access receiver. An identifier is determined with the authorization information. It is determined if the conditional access receiver is authorized to receive the message associated with the identifier. Receipt of the message associated with the identifier may be blocked based, at least in part, upon the determining if the conditional access receiver is authorized.

Abstract: The invention relates to authenticating information sent to a set top box. In one embodiment, a process for distributing information to a plurality of conditional access receivers with a plurality of different signature checking capabilities is disclosed. In one step, a first signature is generated over the information and a second signature is generated over the information. The first and second signatures and the information are sent to the plurality of conditional access receivers.