of performing encryption decryption and verification of digital signatures this may require addition of a u201c set top box u201d or other peripheral capable of performing these cryptographic processes the media content subscription service database 103 is used to associate users with assigned cryptographic keys and required billing information the distribution of cryptographic keys is described in further detail below individuals must apply to media content subscription service providers for privileges this individual is referred to as the u2018 primary applicant u2019 the application and distribution of privileges can be seen in fig2 steps 251 256 for example individuals wishing to watch hbo must request the privilege from their catv distributor for the premium content channel step 251 if the distributor decides to authorize the service the distributor searches its database u2014 the media content subscription service database 103 u2014 for the applicant 39 s unique identifier step 252 for ease of discussion the unique identifier will be the applicant 39 s name but this selection has no impact on the scope of the invention if the primary applicant 39 s name is in the database the distributor accesses an associated public key step 255 if not the distributor assigns a.