Season's Greetings, I am currently using the Internet Explorer browser that is included on the Windows 98SE CD-ROM. When I open Internet Explorer and from the menu click on Help/About Internet Explorer, it shows that the browser version is 5.00.2614.3500 and the Cipher Strength is 40-bits. I decided yesterday that it was time to upgrade the Cipher (SSL Encryption) Strength of my Internet Explorer browser from 40-bits to 128-bits so that I could communicate more securely with https banking websites. Therefore, I visited Microsoft's SSL Encryption upgrade download web page located at http://www.microsoft.com/Windows/ie/download/128bit/detect_and_recommend.asp At this web page, under the heading of Internet Explorer 5.x, there are two Windows 98 download links for "Microsoft Internet Explorer High Encryption Pack"--one for Internet Explorer 5.01 and another for Internet Explorer 5.0. Which one of these two links should I be clicking on in order to download the correct and compatible 128-bit SSL Encryption upgrade for my Internet Explorer 5.00.2614.3500 browser? Also, I am curious as to why the version number of my Internet Explorer browser has so many numbers. Why isn't it simply 5.0 or 5.01? What is the significance of all those extra digits? Thank you for your help & happy holidays. --ADAM STOMM-- (Windows 98SE user)

I have MSIE version 5.01 SP1 (5.00.3105.0106). It certainly would be easier to determine the IE version if MS didn't uses their arcane version numbering system. Then again that is expected of MS. First see see the MS Knowledgebase: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q261/2/68.asp Then go to the site below and update and under Recommended Updates get the IE 5.01 Service Pack 1 (SP1). As you'll see it will update your browser to 128 bit. You then won't need the 128 bit encryption pack. You'll already have 128 bit encryption with SP1. While on that site you might want to check for other security updates that SP1 doesn't include. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/download/

Just download both 'cause they are not big and your Outlook will tell you if it is the right one. I it is the wrong one it will tell you and not load it.

Good answer!

Thanks for the responses. I am still uncertain. FYI, I do NOT use Outlook or ANY other e-mail program whatsoever. What do you recommend I do now? BTW, please do not suggest I upgrade my browser to v5.5--that's out of the question. It would take too long to download and I've heard and read about many users that have been experiencing problems with it. So, I'll stick with my version of Internet Explorer. ~Adam Stomm

Good move! Dooon't go to 5.5! I don't use Outlook either. I don't even have it installed. It's too insecure! I only use IE for updates on the Windowsupdate site, however I still wanted my IE browser at 128 bits. It's really not a big descision to make. Just update your browser with the Service Pack 1 update.