System and apparatus for providing authenticable electronic communication

• US 10,673,636 B1
• Filed: 08/22/2019
• Issued: 06/02/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2019
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ondefend Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Ondefend Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Finke, Benjamin, Freedman, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Zaidi, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US16/548,178
• Time in Patent Office: 285 Days
• Field of Search: 713170
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3226 using a predetermined code, e.g. password, passphrase or PIN network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using passwords in a packet data network H04L63/083
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3231 Biological data, e.g. fingerprint, voice or retina network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using biometrical features in a packet data network H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3297 involving time stamps, e.g. generation of time stamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/38 Encryption being effected by mechanical apparatus, e.g. rotating cams, switches, keytape punchers

Abstract

The present disclosure provides generally for system and method of authenticating a source of electronic communication. According to the present disclosure, authenticable communications may allow for authentication of a source of the electronic communication, which may limit potential damage caused by fraudulent communications. In some aspects, an authenticable communication may allow the recipient to confirm that the indicated source is the actual source of the authenticable communication. In some embodiments, the authentication may not require an exchange of encrypted communications or an exchange of communications solely within the same communication system. Authenticable communications may provide a separate layer of security that may allow a recipient to review the contents with confidence that the communication is not fraudulent. Further, authenticable communications may provide the additional security without requiring specialized software.

Claims

1. A system for providing authenticable communication, wherein the system comprises:

one or more processors;

one or more memory resources comprising;

an authentication mechanism database;

an indicated source database; and

wherein the one or more memory resources are connectable to one or more external device through a communications network, wherein at least one of the one or more external devices comprises an authenticable communication transmittal mechanism and at least one of the one or more external devices comprises an authenticable communication receiving mechanism, wherein the one or more memory resources are executable by the one or more processors to perform the steps of;

receiving an electronic communication comprising at least an indicated source comprising an apparent source, at least one recipient, and content;

converting the electronic communication to an authenticable communication, wherein converting comprises embedding at least one source authentication mechanism into the electronic communication, wherein the at least one source authentication mechanism allows the at least one recipient to authenticate the indicated source as an actual source, wherein the actual source comprises a true source;

transmitting the authenticable communication to the at least one recipient, wherein authentication of the authenticable communication is requestable by each of the at least one recipient, wherein authentication comprises a comparison of the indicated source to the actual source, and wherein a requested authentication transmits a secondary authentication request to one or both the indicated source or the indicated source database.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one source authentication mechanism is selectable by the indicated source.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one source authentication mechanism is selectable by the at least one recipient.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one source authentication mechanism comprises generation of an authentication code, wherein the authentication code is used to confirm that the indicated source is the actual source.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein each of the at least one recipient receives a unique authentication code.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more memory resources are further executable to perform the steps of:

transmitting a recipient confirmation request to the indicated source, wherein the recipient confirmation request prompts confirmation that each of the one or more recipient is permitted to view the content.

6. A system for providing source authentication for authenticable communication, wherein the system comprises:

one or more processors;

one or more memory resources comprising;

an authentication mechanism database;

an indicated source database;

wherein the one or more memory resources are connectable to external devices through a communications network, wherein at least one external device comprises an authenticable communication transmittal mechanism and at least one external device comprises an authenticable communication receiving mechanism, wherein the one or more memory resources are executable by the one or more processors to perform the steps of;

receiving a primary authentication request for an authenticable communication, wherein the authenticable communication comprises an indicated source, one or more recipient, and content;

accessing the authenticable communication;

identifying an indicated source of the authenticable communication, wherein the indicated source comprises an apparent source;

transmitting a secondary authentication request to one or both the indicated source or the indicated source database;

receiving a response from one or both the indicated source or the indicated source database;

identifying an actual source of the authenticable communication based on the response, wherein the actual source comprises a true source;

authenticating the authenticable communication by comparing the indicated source to the actual source, wherein comparing produces an authentication result that confirms whether the indicated source and the actual source are the same; and

transmitting the authentication result.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more memory resources are further executable to perform the steps of:

receiving an authentication type with the primary authentication request, wherein a method for identifying the actual source is based on the authentication type.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the primary authentication request is received automatically when each of the one or more recipient of the authenticable communication accesses the authenticable communication.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the primary authentication request is received automatically when each of the one or more recipient of the authenticable communication transmits the primary authentication request.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein contents of the authenticable communication are accessible if the authentication results indicates that the indicated source is the actual source.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein receiving a primary authentication request occurs within a software application provided by the indicated source.

13. A computer-implemented method for authenticating a source of an authenticable communication, the computer-implemented method comprising method steps of:

receiving a primary authentication request for an authenticable communication, wherein the authenticable communication comprises an indicated source, one or more recipient, and content;

accessing the authenticable communication;

identifying an indicated source of the authenticable communication, wherein the indicated source comprises an apparent source;

transmitting a secondary authentication request to one or both the indicated source or an indicated source database;

receiving a response from one or both the indicated source or the indicated source database;

identifying an actual source of the authenticable communication based on the response, wherein the actual source comprises a true source;

authenticating the authenticable communication by comparing the indicated source to the actual source, wherein comparing produces an authentication result that confirms whether the indicated source and the actual source are the same; and

transmitting the authentication result.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

receiving an authentication type with the primary authentication request, wherein a method for identifying the actual source is based on the authentication type.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the primary authentication request is received automatically when each of the one or more recipient of the authenticable communication accesses the authenticable communication.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the primary authentication request is received automatically when each of the one or more recipient of the authenticable communication transmits the primary authentication request.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein contents of the authenticable communication are accessible if the authentication results indicates that the indicated source is the actual source.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, further comprising the method steps of:

transmitting a recipient confirmation request to the indicated source, wherein the recipient confirmation request prompts confirmation that each of the one or more recipient is permitted to view the content.