WebApp Sec: Protecting posted variables

[billy.sailing () gmail com]

Hey all,

A 'fixing the problem question'...

Outside of encrypting in SSL, how can variables being posted from the browser back to the server be protected from 
prying eyes?

During previous pentests, I've seen variables being posted to a webserver (IIS6.0 is  one I remember this with) all 
hashed together. I don't think that any special client-side software was used, it was a function of the site....

Can anyone help in identifying what it was that I saw in operation? - The only solution I can see is that it was the 
AspKeepSessionIDSecure Metabase Property 

(ref:http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/WindowsServer2003/Library/IIS/0d49cbc8-10e1-4fa8-ba61-c34e524a3ae6.mspx?mfr=true)

with the variables posted in with the sessionid?

Also, is this type of solution available in any other webserver?

Any help gratefully recieved...

Thanks..

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