3. Bidding instruction files3. Bidding instruction files

3. Bidding instruction files

Each bidding instruction file will be prepared in the form of a database following the Microsoft Access 97 specification. Before transmission, the file will be digitally signed. The signature will then be encrypted with the registered applicant's private encryption key.

Note The digital signature will be calculated by a checksum algorithm that calculates a 128 bit number expressing the whole file. It is so sensitive that the change of a full-stop to a comma will result in a substantially different checksum.

The file itself will then be encrypted using the ACA's public encryption key. The file and the attached signature will then be transmitted to the auction computer system.