Using Basic Cryptography Services

Applications can use the CryptoAPI for the following tasks:

  • Generating cryptographic keys
  • Exporting cryptographic keys
  • Encrypting and decrypting data
  • Creating digital signatures
  • Connecting to a CSP

All data encryption using CryptoAPI is performed with a symmetric algorithm, regardless of the installed CSP.

The following topics describe the elements and tasks of basic cryptography services:

Key Databases

Key BLOBs

Generating Cryptographic Keys

Exchanging Public Keys

Exporting Cryptographic Keys

Storing Session Keys

Using a Backup Authority

Exchanging Session Keys

Connecting to a CSP

See Also

Cryptography | Microsoft Cryptographic System | About Cryptographic Service Provider | Protected Store | Cryptography Security | Cryptography Registry Settings | Certificates

 Last updated on Thursday, April 08, 2004

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