Generating a public key and a private key in an instant messaging server

• US 20070162554A1
• Filed: 01/12/2006
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Stecher, John, Branda, Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/330,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20070162554A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/207
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/062 for key distribution, e.g. centrally by trusted party cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving a central third party H04L9/0819
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32

Abstract

An apparatus, program product and method generate a public key and a private key in an instant messaging server. The public key and the private key may be generated in the instant messaging server in connection with the user logging into the instant messaging server. As such, the public key and the private key may be used to encrypt and/or decrypt instant messages in connection with peer to peer instant messaging.

Claims

1. A method of communicating via peer to peer instant messaging, the method comprising:

(a) in an instant messaging server, generating a public key and a private key for a first user in connection with the first user logging into the instant messaging server; and

(b) in response to a second user request to communicate with the first user via peer to peer instant messaging, sending the public key of the first user to the second user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a public key and a private key for the second user in connection with the second user logging into the instant messaging server.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising using the public key of the second user to encrypt at least one instant message from the first user to the second user.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising sending the public key of the second user to the first user.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising authenticating the public key of the second user with the instant messaging server.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending an instant message to the first user from the second user.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein sending the instant message includes using at least one of an IP address or port of the first user.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the public key of the first user to encrypt at least one instant message from the second user to the first user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the public key and the private key includes generating at least one of the public key or the private key each time the first user logs into the instant messaging server.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein generating at least one of the private key or the public key for the first user includes generating a key that is different than a previous key generated by the instant messaging server for the first user in connection with the first user previously logging into the instant messaging server.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising decrypting at least one instant message from the second user to the first user using the private key of the first user.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising invalidating at least one of the public key or private key of the first user in connection with the first user logging off the instant messaging server.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

(a) a processor;

(b) a memory; and

(c) program code configured to communicate via peer to peer instant messaging by generating a public key and a private key in an instant messaging server for a first user in connection with the first user logging into the instant messaging server and in response to a second user request to communicate with the first user via peer to peer instant messaging, sending the public key of the first user to the second user.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program code is further configured to generate a public key and a private key for the second user in connection with the second user logging into the instant messaging server.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the program code is further configured to use the public key of the second user to encrypt at least one instant message from the first user to the second user.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the program code is further configured to send the public key of the second user to the first user.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the program code is further configured to authenticate the public key of the second user with the instant messaging server.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program code is further configured to send an instant message to the first user from the second user.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the program code is further configured to send the instant message by using at least one of an IP address or port of the first user.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program code is further configured to use the public key of the first user to encrypt at least one instant message from the second user to the first user.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program code is further configured to generate the public key and the private key by generating at least one of the public key or the private key each time the first user logs into the instant messaging server.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program code is further configured to generate at least one of the private key or the public key for the first user by generating a key that is different than a previous key generated by the instant messaging server for the first user in connection with the first user previously logging into the instant messaging server.

23. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program code is further configured to decrypt at least one instant message from the second user to the first user using the private key of the first user.

24. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the program code is further configured to invalidate at least one of the public key or private key of the first user in connection with the first user logging off the instant messaging server.

25. A program product, comprising:

(a) program code configured to communicate via peer to peer instant messaging by generating a public key and a private key in an instant messaging server for a first user in connection with the first user logging into the instant messaging server and in response to a second user request to communicate with the first user via peer to peer instant messaging, sending the public key of the first user to the second user; and

(b) a computer readable medium bearing the program code.