Wireless connectivity security technique

• US 20060271485A1
• Filed: 03/13/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: JiWire
• Original Assignee: JiWire
• Inventors: McKenzie, Kevin, Hafiz, Nihad, Lurey, Craig
• Application Number:
  US11/375,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271485A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0471 applying encryption by an intermediary, e.g. receiving clear information at the intermediary and encrypting the received information at the intermediary before forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/033 of the user plane, e.g. user's traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for providing security for data being transmitted from a device at a public Wi-Fi enabled zone (e.g. a Wi-Fi Hotspot) to a destination on the Internet. Methods and systems are also described for enabling users to send e-mail from these zones and bypassing outgoing e-mail blocks enforced by WISPs. Data are encrypted either entirely or partially on the device by a security application resident on the device. The encrypted data are sent out via a dedicated port on the device. The security application controls this port and closes all the other ports. The encrypted data are transmitted via a wireless Wi-Fi signal to a network component, such a router or other access point. From there the data are transmitted over the Internet to a security server controlled by a Wi-Fi security provider. There they are decrypted and forwarded to a destination. If the data are an e-mail message, the decrypted data are transmitted to an e-mail relay server also under the control of a Wi-Fi security provider. From there it is forwarded to a destination e-mail server.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting data from a wireless device to a destination on the Internet, the method comprising:

forming a request for data on the wireless device;

encrypting the request;

transmitting the encrypted request via a Wi-Fi signal to an access point;

transmitting the encrypted request from the access point to a security server;

decrypting the request at the security server; and

forwarding the decrypted request to the destination.

2. A method of transmitting an e-mail message from a wireless device to a destination on the Internet, the method comprising:

forming an e-mail message on the wireless device;

encrypting the e-mail message;

transmitting the encrypted e-mail message via a Wi-Fi signal to an access point;

transmitting the encrypted e-mail message from the access point to a security server;

decrypting the e-mail message at the security server;

transmitting the decrypted e-mail message from the security server to an e-mail relay server; and

transmitting the e-mail message from the relay server to the destination.

3. A method of securely transmitting data from a device at a Wi-Fi enabled zone to a destination on the Internet, the method comprising:

on the device, encrypting data to be transmitted;

transmitting via a Wi-Fi connection the encrypted data to the Intenet;

at a security server, receiving the encrypted data and decrypting the data;

transmitting the decrypted data to the destination.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising:

at the security server, receiving response data from the destination;

encrypting the response data;

transmitting the encrypted response data to the device; and

decrypting the response data on the device.