Technical
Frequently Asked Questions
Technical Information
Q: What is in the advertisement in the Financial Times? What do those numbers and letters mean?
A: To prove that our data (i.e. your registration data) has not been tampered with, we codelmark every day’s data and publish it in the Financial Times. If the data has been tampered with, the codelmark for that day’s data will not be the same as that published in the FT. Codel may be used as evidence in a court of law; once the codelmark of your data is registered in the Codel database, the origin (you), the date of registration (the priorty date) and the integrity cannot be questioned. Publishing the codelmark in the FT serves as an open and irrefutable audit trail, A complete history of all the CodelMarks published is on our website at http://www.codelmark.com/history.
Q: How secure is Codel? Can I trust them with my stuff?
A: Provided you are using the Codel client software, your data will never leave your computer; only the codelmark or digital fingerprint is sent to the Codel database. The process of producing the fingerprint is “one way”; the original data can never be recreated from the fingerprint. Checking a file via our internet verification method (at http://www.codelmark.com/trycodel ) requires that the file be transmitted over the internet and read by our server. However the data is transient and we do not keep your information when you check using this method. For total confidentiality of your data we strongly recommend that you use the Codel client software. When using the Codel client software Codel does not need to know what is in your file, just what its CodelMark is; this way it is completely secure. One thing you do need to be aware of is that you should keep your Licensee Number and Password safe, anybody with access to both these pieces of information may be able to register items using your identity. Only release your Licensee Number to those who may want to verify files you have sent them.
Q: What kind of files can I register?
A: You can register anything that is in electronic form. Codel will take a digital fingerprint of any electronic file; the fingerprint is always the same size, no matter how big the original file is. The Codel client sends only the fingerprint to the internet so your file is not transferred over the internet, and the registration of the file will not take longer if your file is bigger. If you check a file via our internet verification method, it will be sent over the internet which may take a long time if it is a large file.
Q: How do I register a hard copy of a document?
A: The best way to do this is to scan the document into a file. Then register this file with Codel. When a document is scanned, it may be saved as various different file types, for example pdf or tiff, and the positioning of the document on the scanner’s glass and other parameters may vary, so it is very difficult to reproduce this file twice from hard copy. Therefore you must always retain the electronic copy of the document and if required send electronic copies of documents so that the recipient may check these with Codel.
Q: Why is a file set to read-only when it is CodelMarked?
A: Opening a received file with a Microsoft Office application can affect the ability of the recipient to check the file on the codelmark system. (See above) Therefore before you open the file to read it, is important that you make sure the file’s permissions are set to read-only, possibly by writing to a read-only media such as CD-ROM. Alternatively you could use the Codel client software to check the file on the CodelMark system first and then read it. (Note – The Codel client software will automatically change the file’s permissions to read only). You may check the file with the Codel client software by clicking on the tab marked ‘Find codelmarked file’. Browse for the file on your local file system using the browse button and then click the find button to check the document with Codel. If the file has been registered, then the registration date, file reference and Licensee Number of the party who registered it will be displayed. If the sender of the file has disclosed their Licensee Number, then you will know whether it was them who registered the document. If you do not have the Codel Client software, or are not registered, you may check a document free of charge on http://www.codelmark.com/trycodel.
Q: I have forgotten my password, can I register again and get another 6 months for free?
A: No, you will not be able to register more than once. The free offer ends on 1st January 2006 and from then on, everyone will have to pay to register their files with Codel. If you do not continue to use this system, you will not be able to check your files after March 2006.
Q: How can I remember what files I have codelmarked?
A: The software saves a history file of every file successfully codelmarked, where it is stored, when it was registered, and the reference number it was given. This will be available to view when you are connected to the system.
Q: How should I define my reference numbers?
A: If the files you are registering are being held on a database, for example, a correspondence database, then you should use the ID number of the document as a reference, if you do not know how to determine this, then contact your database administrator. If you would like your document management software to automatically register files with Codel, contact us via our Contact Form to discuss your requirements.
Q: Can I register the same document twice on Codel?
A: No, once a file has been registered with Codel, then you cannot register it again. You may search Codel for the file to see who has added it, you will only be given their licensee number as identification, so unless you disclose you Licensee number to a third party, they will not know that it was you who registered the file.
Q: Can I codelmark my emails?
A: Currently, there is no way of codelmarking an email, however, documents sent as attachments may be codelmarked and verified as detailed before. However we do plan to extend the Codel system so that it will work within the most common email clients. This will enable you to register and verify emails.
Q: Is there a version available for Macs?
A: Yes, a version for Mac OS X is available on the download page.
Q: The system allows me to save my Licensee number and password. I am concerned that this is a security threat.
A: This information is stored in a file in your profile on your computer; the information is only transmitted to the internet when you log in. If you are using this in an office environment with roaming profiles enabled, this information will be accessible from any machine that you are logged into. Do not use the save settings option if you feel you cannot keep this information secure.
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