Using a .NET .snk Key File for RSA Encryption

Demonstrates how to load and use a .NET .snk key file for RSA encryption. SNK files are created by the Microsoft .NET Strong Name Tool (Sn.exe).

Download 32-bit Chilkat RSA ActiveX (.msi)

Download All 32-bit Chilkat ActiveX Components (.zip)

Download All 64-bit Chilkat ActiveX Components (.zip)

Dim rsa As New ChilkatRsa

Dim success As Long
success = rsa.UnlockComponent("Anything for 30-day trial")
If (success <> 1) Then
    MsgBox "RSA component unlock failed"
    Exit Sub
End If

'  Load a public/private key pair from a .snk key file.
Dim xmlKey As String
xmlKey = rsa.SnkToXml("chilkat2.snk")

Text1.Text = Text1.Text & xmlKey & vbCrLf

'  The xmlKey contains both public and private keys.
'  Import either the public or private for encrypting or
'  decrypting.
rsa.ImportPrivateKey xmlKey

Dim bUsePrivateKey As Long
bUsePrivateKey = 1
Dim encryptedText As String
encryptedText = rsa.EncryptStringENC("Hello World!",bUsePrivateKey)

Text1.Text = Text1.Text & encryptedText & vbCrLf

'  Now decrypt with the public key:
rsa.ImportPublicKey xmlKey
bUsePrivateKey = 0
Dim decryptedText As String
decryptedText = rsa.DecryptStringENC(encryptedText,bUsePrivateKey)

Text1.Text = Text1.Text & decryptedText & vbCrLf

'  Note: We could have just as well encrypted using the public key
'  and decrypted using the private key.