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 Chilkat RSA ActiveX

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.