SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR SECURING INFORMATION

• US 20080304664A1
• Filed: 06/07/2007
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of North Carolina At Greensboro (University of North Carolina System)
• Original Assignee: University of North Carolina At Greensboro (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Suthaharan, Shanmugathasan
• Application Number:
  US11/759,457
• Publication Number:
  US 20080304664A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0662 with particular pseudorandom sequence generator
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0866 involving user or device identifiers, e.g. serial number, physical or biometrical information, DNA, hand-signature or measurable physical characteristics

Abstract

A system for securing information is disclosed. The system includes a key, a sub-key generator, and an encryptor/decryptor. The sub-key generator includes a first security module. The encryptor/decryptor includes a second security module. At least a portion of the key is an input to the sub-key generator, and a sub-key is an output. At least a portion of the sub-key is an input to the encryptor/decryptor, and a cipher text or a plain text, depending on the operational, is an output. In an aspect, the first security module and the second security module are substantially the same.

Claims

1. A system for securing information comprising:

(a) a key;

(b) a sub-key generator comprising a first security module wherein at least a portion of the key is an input to the sub-key generator and a sub-key is an output; and

(c) an encryptor/decryptor comprising a second security module wherein at least a portion of the sub-key is an input to the encryptor/decryptor.

2. A system for securing information according to claim 1, further comprising a public key.

3. A system for securing information according to claim 2, wherein the public key comprises a fingerprint.

4. A system for securing information according to claim 3, wherein the fingerprint comprises a representation of a physical aspect of an entity.

5. A system for securing information according to claim 4, wherein the physical aspect of an entity comprises a representation of an intrinsic physical trait of a human.

6. A system for securing information according to claim 5, wherein the intrinsic physical trait of a human comprises any one of a representation of the markings of the inner surface of the last joint of a digit of a human hand, a representation of the measurements of a human hand, a representation of a retina of an eye, a representation of an iris of an eye, a representation of a facial pattern, a representation of a portion of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), or any combination of two or more of any of the preceding.

7. A system for securing information according to claim 3, wherein the fingerprint comprises a digital representation of an aspect of an entity.

8. A system for securing information according to claim 7, wherein the digital representation of an aspect of an entity comprises a digital identity.

9. A system for securing information according to claim 8, wherein the digital identity comprises one or more digital identifiers comprising any one of an omnidirectional identifier, a unidirectional identifier, a resolvable identifier, a non-resolvable identifier, or any combination of two or more of any of the preceding.

10. A system for securing information according to claim 8, wherein the entity comprises one or more components of a telecommunication system.

11. A system for securing information according to claim 8, wherein the telecommunication system comprises any one of a telegraph network, a telephone network, a radio system, a radio network, a television system, a television network, a computer network, a satellite system, a satellite network, or any combination of two or more of any of the preceding.

12. A system for securing information according to claim 3, wherein the fingerprint comprises a digital representation of at least a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

13. A system for securing information according to claim 3, wherein the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum comprises any one of a portion of the visible spectrum or optical spectrum, a portion of the audio spectrum, or a portion of the visible or optical spectrum and a portion of the audio spectrum.

14. A system for securing information according to claim 13, wherein the portion of the visible spectrum comprises any one of a still image, a sequence of still images, or a still image and a sequence of still images.

15. A system for securing information according to claim 14, wherein the portion of the sequence of still images comprises at least a portion of a video.

16. A system for securing information according to claim 14, wherein the portion of the sequence of still images comprises an N-minute stream.

17. A system for securing information according to claim 13, wherein the portion of the audio spectrum comprises any one of a portion of the audio spectrum found in nature, a portion of the audio spectrum synthesis by humans, or a portion of the audio spectrum found in nature and a portion of the audio spectrum synthesis by humans.

18. A system for securing information according to claim 17, wherein the portion of the audio spectrum synthesis by humans comprises music.

19. A system for securing information according to claim 17, wherein the portion of the audio spectrum found in nature any one of speech, an animal sound, or speech and an animal sound.

20. A system for securing information according to claim 1, wherein the first security module and the second security module are the same.

21. A system for securing information according to claim 1, wherein the key comprises a master key and a session key.

22. A system for securing information according to claim 21, wherein the master key comprises a first plurality of words and the session key comprises a second plurality of words.

23. A system for securing information according to claim 22, wherein a number of the first plurality and a second number second plurality of words comprise any one of a different number or a same number.

24. A system for securing information according to claim 22, wherein the first plurality and second plurality of words range in size from machine word size to machine processor size.

25. A system for securing information according to claim 24, wherein any one of

(a) a size of each of the first plurality words comprises any one of a different word size, a same word size, or a combination of a different and a same word size;

(b) a size of each of the second plurality words comprises any one of a different word size, a same word size, or a combination of a different and a same word size;

or

(c) a size of each of the first plurality words and the second plurality words comprises any one of a different word size, a same word size, or a combination of a different and a same word size.

26. A system for securing information according to claim 24, wherein the first plurality and second plurality of words comprise in size an at least 4 bit word size.

27. A system for securing information according to claim 24, wherein the first plurality and second plurality of words comprise in size an at least 8-bit word size.

28. A security module useable in a system for securing information comprising an sub-key generator, an encryptor/decryptor, or a sub-key generator and encryptor/decryptor, the security module comprising in linkable arrangement:

(a) an expander;

(b) a combiner;

(c) a scrambler; and

(d) a multiple flag hasher.

29. A security module according to claim 28, further comprising in linkable arrangement a randomizer.

30. A security module according to claim 29, wherein the randomizer comprises any one of a pseudo random number generator (PRNG), a linear congruent generator, a nonlinear congruent generator, a linear feedback shift register, an A5 number generator, a Hughes number generator, a Nanoteq number generator, a Rambutan random number generator, an additive random number generator, a Gifford random number generator, an algorithm M random number generator, a PKZIP random number generator, a table of random numbers, or any combination of any two or more of the preceding.

31. A security module according to claim 29, wherein the pseudo random generator (PRNG) comprises a multiple stage pseudo random generator (MSPRNG).

32. A security module according to claim 31, wherein the multiple stage pseudo random generator (MSPRNG) comprises a two stage pseudo random generator (TSPRNG).

33. A security module according to claim 30, wherein the pseudo random number generator (PRNG) comprises a Yarrow type random number generator, an ISAAC type random number generator, an ANSI standard type random number generator, or any combination of any two or more of the preceding.

34. A security module according to claim 28, wherein the combiner comprises any one of a Galois field (or finite field) operator, an XOR (or exclusive o) operator, or a Galois field operator and an XOR (exclusive o) operator.

35. A security module according to claim 34, wherein the Galois field (or finite field) operator comprises any one of a prime order Galois field (or finite field) operator, an order of the power of two Galois field (or finite field) operator, or a prime order Galois field (or finite field) operator and an order of the power of two Galois field (or finite field) operator.

36. A security module according to claim 34, wherein the Galois field comprises from 2 to the processor size limit.

37. A security module according to claim 34, wherein the Galois field comprises a Reed Solomon defined Galois field.

38. A security module according to claim 34, wherein the Galois field (or finite field) operator comprises any one of addition (+), subtraction (−

), elementwise multiplication (.*), matrix multiplication (*), elementwise left division (./), elementwise right division (.\) matrix left division (/), matrix right division (\), elementwise exponentiation (.̂

), elementwise logarithm (log( )), exponentiation of a square Galois matrix by a scalar integer (̂

), or any combination of any two or more of the preceding.

39. A security module according to claim 28, wherein the hasher comprises any one of a one-way hasher, a collision resistant hasher (a collision-free hasher), a trapdoor one-way hasher, or a hasher from a class of universal hasher, or any combination of any of the preceding.

40. A security module according to claim 39, wherein the hasher comprises any one of a Gost type hasher, a HAS type hasher, a HAVAL type hasher, an MD type hasher, an N-Hash type hasher, a PANAMA type hasher, a SHA type hasher, a Snefru type hasher, a Tiger type hasher, a VEST type hasher, a WHIRLPOOL type hasher, or any combination of any of the preceding.

41. A security module according to claim 40, wherein the MD type hasher comprises any one of an MD2 type hasher, an MD4 type hasher, an MD5 type hasher, a RIPEMD type hasher, or any combination of any of the preceding.

42. A security module according to claim 40, wherein the RIPEMD type hasher comprises any one of a RIPEMD-160 type hasher, a RIPEMD-128 type hasher, a RIPEMD-256 type hasher, a RIPEMD-320 type hasher, or any combination of any of the preceding.

43. A security module according to claim 40, wherein the SHA type hasher comprises any one of a SHA-0 type hasher, a SHA-1 type hasher, a SHA-224 type hasher, a SHA-256 type hasher, a SHA-384 type hasher, and a SHA-512 type hasher, or any combination of any of the preceding.

44. A security module according to claim 40, wherein the Tiger type hasher comprises any one of a Tiger-192 type hasher, a Tiger-160 type hasher, a Tiger-128 type hasher, a Tiger2 type hasher, or any combination of any of the preceding.

45. A security module according to claim 40, wherein the VEST type hasher comprises any one of a VEST-4, a VEST-8, a VEST-16, a VEST-32, a AES-128, or any combination of any of the preceding.

46. A security module according to claim 40, wherein the PANAMA type hasher comprises a RadioGatú

n type hasher.

47. A security module according to claim 28, wherein the scrambler comprises any one of at least one bit-shifter, at least one permutator, or at least one bit-shifter and at least one permutator.

48. A security module according to claim 47, wherein the at least one bit-shifter comprises a at least one circular-bit-shifter.

49. A security module according to claim 47, wherein the at least one permutator comprises at least one block-wise permutator.

50. A security module according to claim 47, wherein the at least one bit-shifter comprises at least one circular-bit-shifter, and at least one permutator comprises at least one block-wise permutator.

51. A security module according to claim 28, wherein the expander comprises any one of a randomizer.

52. A security module according to claim 51, wherein the randomizer comprises any one of a pseudo random number generator (PRNG), a linear congruent generator, a nonlinear congruent generator, a linear feedback shift register, an A5 number generator, a Hughes number generator, a Nanoteq number generator, a Rambutan random number generator, an additive random number generator, a Gifford random number generator, an algorithm M random number generator, a PKZIP random number generator, a table of random numbers, or any combination of any two or more of the preceding.

53. A security module according to claim 51, wherein the pseudo random generator (PRNG) comprises a multiple stage pseudo random generator (MSPRNG).

54. A security module according to claim 53, wherein the multiple stage pseudo random generator (MSPRNG) comprises a two stage pseudo random generator (TSPRNG).

55. A security module according to claim 51, wherein the pseudo random number generator (PRNG) comprises a Yarrow type random number generator, an ISAAC type random number generator, an ANSI standard type random number generator, or any combination of any two or more of the preceding.

56. A method in a computer system for securing information, the method comprising:

(a) providing one or more keys;

(b) generating one or more sub-keys using at least one of the one or more keys; and

(c) converting a plain text to a cipher text using the one more sub-keys in combination with one or more of a combining operation, an expanding operation, a scrambling operation, a randomizing operation, and a hashing operation.

57. The method according to claim 56, further comprising providing at least one finger print matrix.

58. The method according to claim 56, wherein the at least one randomizing operation comprises generating at least one randomized matrix and the at least one combining operation comprises combining the at least one finger print matrix and the randomized matrix to create a security matrix.

59. The method according to claim 58, wherein the at least one combining operation comprises any one of a Galois field (or finite field) operation, an XOR (or exclusive o) operation, or a Galois field operation and a XOR (exclusive o) operation.

60. The method according to claim 56, wherein the at least one scrambling operation comprises any one of at least one bit shift operation on a security matrix, at least one permutator operation a security matrix, or at least one bit shift operation and at least one permutator operation on a security matrix.

61. The method according to claim 60, wherein the at least one bit shift operation comprises performing at least one circular-bit-shift operation on the security matrix.

62. The method according to claim 60, wherein the at least one permutator operation comprises performing at least one block-wise permutation on the security matrix.

63. The method according to claim 56, wherein the one or more sub-keys represent a sequence of operations

64. The method according to claim 56, wherein the sub-keys comprises a sequence of 0s and 1s.

65. The method according to claim 64, wherein each 0 represents a bit-shift and each 1 represents a permutation or vice versa in the at least one scrambling operation.

66. The method according to claim 61, wherein the at least one circular-bit-shift operation comprises a plurality of circular-bit-shift operations.

67. The method according to claim 62, wherein the at least one block-wise permutation comprises a plurality of block-wise permutations.

68. The method according to claim 60, wherein at least one circular-bit-shift operation is performed before at least one block-wise permutation.

69. The method according to claim 60, wherein at least one block-wise permutation is performed before at least one circular-bit-shift operation.

70. The method according to claim 60, wherein the at least one scrambling operation comprises a sequence of operations comprising:

performing a first of the at least one bit-shift operation;

performing a first of the at least one permutation;

performing a second of the at least one bit-shift operation;

performing a second of the at least one permutation;

performing a third of the at least one permutation; and

performing a third of the at least one bit-shift operation.

71. The method according to claim 56, wherein the generating of the one or more sub-keys comprises using at least one of the one or more keys in combination with one or more of a combining operation, an expanding operation, a scrambling operation, a randomizing operation, and a hashing operation.

72. A method in a computer system for securing information, the method comprising:

(a) accessing a master key portion;

(b) accessing a session key portion;

(c) providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) accessing a plain text;

(e) providing at least a first preselected portion of the sub-keys and the plain text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text;

(f) providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text; and

(g) repeating the previous steps (d), (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a substantially secure cipher text, wherein the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the plain text of step (d) to create the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

73. A method in a computer system for securing information, the method comprising:

(a) generating a session key portion;

(b) accessing a master key portion;

(c) providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) accessing a plain text;

(e) providing at least a first preselected portion of the sub-keys and the plain text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text;

(f) providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text; and

(g) repeating the previous steps (d), (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a substantially secure cipher text, wherein the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the plain text of step (d) to create the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process; and

(h) transmitting the session key portion and the substantially secure cipher text over a communications link.

74. A method in a computer system for authorizing access to secure information, the method comprising:

(a) accessing a master key portion;

(b) accessing a session key portion;

(c) providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) accessing a substantially secure cipher text;

(e) providing at least a last preselected portion of the sub-keys and the substantially secure cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(f) providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the further intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text; and

(g) repeating the previous steps (d), (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a plain text, wherein the intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the substantially secure cipher text of step (d) to create the intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

75. A method in a computer system for authorizing access to secure information, the method comprising:

(a) accessing a master key portion;

(b) receiving a transmission of one or more discrete signals representing a session key portion and a substantially secure cipher text;

(c) providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) providing at least a last preselected portion of the sub-keys and the substantially secure cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(e) providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the further intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text; and

(f) repeating the previous steps (d) and (e) a sufficient number of times so as to create a plain text, wherein the intermediate cipher text of step (e) of a previous process is accessed in place of the substantially secure cipher text of step (d) to create the intermediate cipher text of step (e) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

76. A method for authorizing access to secure information, the method comprising:

(a) providing a key and a public key to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(b) accessing a substantially secure cipher text;

(c) scrambling the substantially secure cipher text using the first preselected portion of the sub-keys to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(d) combining a first preselected portion of the sub-keys and a preselected portion of the further intermediate cipher text;

(e) expanding the combined preselected portions of the sub-keys and the further intermediate cipher text to create a first intermediate data set;

(f) combining the first intermediate data set and the public key to create a second intermediate data set;

(g) combining a second preselected portion of the sub-keys and the preselected portion of the further intermediate cipher text to create a scrambling parameter;

(h) scrambling the second intermediate data set using the scrambling parameter, a third preselected portion of the sub-keys, and a fourth preselected portion of the sub-keys to create a third intermediate data set;

(i) hashing the third intermediate data set;

(j) combining the hashed third intermediate data set and the further intermediate cipher text to create an intermediate cipher text;

(k) scrambling the intermediate cipher text using the first preselected portion of the sub-keys to create an intermediate cipher text; and

(l) repeating steps (b) through (k) a sufficient number of times so as to create a plain text, wherein the intermediate cipher text of step (k) of a previous process is used in place of the further intermediate cipher text of step (b) for a current process and the first preselected portion of the sub-keys of step (c), the second preselected portion of the sub-keys of step (g), and the third preselected portion and the fourth preselected portions of the sub-keys of step (h) are different preselected portions of the sub-keys for each process.

77. A method for securing information, the method comprising:

(a) providing a key and a public key to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(b) accessing a plain text;

(c) combining a first preselected portion of the sub-keys and a preselected portion of the plain text;

(d) expanding the combined preselected portions of the sub-keys and plain text to create a first intermediate data set;

(e) combining the first intermediate data set and the public key to create a second intermediate data set;

(f) combining a second preselected portion of the sub-keys and the preselected portion of the plain text to create a scrambling parameter;

(g) scrambling the second intermediate data set using the scrambling parameter, a third preselected portion of the sub-keys, and a fourth preselected portion of the sub-keys to create a third intermediate data set;

(h) hashing the third intermediate data set;

(i) combining the hashed third intermediate data set and the plain text to create an intermediate cipher text;

(j) scrambling the intermediate cipher text using the first preselected portion of the sub-keys to create a further intermediate cipher text; and

(k) repeating steps (b) through (j) a sufficient number of times so as to create a substantially secure cipher text, wherein the further intermediate cipher text of step (j) of a previous process is used in place of the plain text of step (b) for a current process and the first preselected portion of the sub-keys of step (c), the second preselected portion of the sub-keys of step (f), and the third preselected portion and the fourth preselected portions of the sub-keys of step (g) are different preselected portions of the sub-keys for each process.

78. A computer system for securing information, comprising:

(a) a sub-key generator comprising a security module capable of accepting as inputs at least a portion of a key and a public key to create a sub-key as an output;

(b) an encryptor/decryptor comprising the security module capable of accepting as inputs at least a portion of the sub-key, the public key, and a plain text to create a substantially secure cipher text as an output; and

(c) a transmission component capable of transmitting a session key portion of the key and the substantially secure cipher text.

79. A computer system for authorizing access to secure information, the system comprising:

(a) a transmission component capable of receiving a session key portion of a key and a substantially secure cipher text;

(b) a sub-key generator comprising a security module capable of accepting as inputs at least a portion of the key and a public key to create a sub-key as an output; and

(c) an encryptor/decryptor comprising the security module capable of accepting as inputs at least a portion of the sub-key, the public key, and a substantially secure cipher text to create a plain text as an output.

80. A computer program product comprising:

(a) a computer useable medium and computer readable code embodied on said computer useable medium for causing a securing of information, the computer readable code comprising;

(b) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the accessing of a master key portion;

(c) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the accessing of a session key portion;

(d) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(e) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the accessing a plain text;

(f) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least a first preselected portion of the sub-keys and the plain text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text;

(g) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an further intermediate cipher text; and

(h) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the repeating of the previous steps (e), (f) and (g) a sufficient number of times so as to create a substantially secure cipher text, wherein the further intermediate cipher text of step (g) of a previous process is accessed in place of the plain text of step (e) to create the further intermediate cipher text of step (g) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

81. A computer program product comprising:

(a) a computer useable medium and computer readable code embodied on said computer useable medium for causing a securing of information, the computer readable code comprising;

(b) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the generating of a session key portion;

(c) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the accessing of a master key portion;

(d) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(e) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the accessing a plain text;

(f) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least a first preselected portion of the sub-keys and the plain text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text;

(g) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(h) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the repeating of the previous steps (e), (f) and (g) a sufficient number of times so as to create a substantially secure cipher text, wherein the further intermediate cipher text of step (g) of a previous process is accessed in place of the plain text of step (e) to create the further intermediate cipher text of step (g) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process; and

(i) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the transmitting of the session key portion and the substantially secure cipher text over a communications link.

82. A computer program product comprising:

(a) a computer useable medium and computer readable code embodied on said computer useable medium for causing an access to secure information, the computer readable code comprising;

(b) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the accessing of a master key portion;

(c) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the accessing of a session key portion;

(d) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(e) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the accessing a substantially secure cipher text;

(f) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least a last preselected portion of the sub-keys and the substantially secure cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(g) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the further intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text; and

(h) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the repeating the previous steps (e), (f) and (g) a sufficient number of times so as to create a plain text, wherein the intermediate cipher text of step (g) of a previous process is accessed in place of the substantially secure cipher text of step (e) to create the intermediate cipher text of step (g) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

83. A computer program product comprising:

(a) a computer useable medium and computer readable code embodied on said computer useable medium for causing an access to secure information by a user, the computer readable code comprising;

(b) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the receiving of a master key portion;

(c) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the receiving of a transmission of one or more discrete signals representing a session key portion and a substantially secure cipher text;

(d) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(e) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least a last preselected portion of the sub-keys and the substantially secure cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(f) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the providing of at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the further intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text; and

(g) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the repeating the previous steps (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a plain text, wherein the intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the substantially secure cipher text of step (e) to create the intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

84. A computer data signal embodied in a transmission medium, comprising:

(a) a code segment including instructions for accessing a master key portion;

(b) computer readable program code devices configured to cause the computer to effect the accessing of a session key portion;

(c) a code segment including instructions for providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) a code segment including instructions for accessing a plain text;

(e) a code segment including instructions for providing at least a first preselected portion of the sub-keys and the plain text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text;

(f) a code segment including instructions for providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text; and

(g) repeating the previous steps (d), (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a substantially secure cipher text, wherein the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the plain text of step (d) to create the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

85. A computer data signal embodied in a transmission medium, comprising:

(a) a code segment including instructions for generating a session key portion;

(b) a code segment including instructions for accessing a master key portion;

(c) a code segment including instructions for providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) a code segment including instructions for accessing plain text;

(e) a code segment including instructions for providing at least a first preselected portion of the sub-keys and the plain text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text;

(f) a code segment including instructions for providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(g) repeating the previous steps (d), (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a substantially secure cipher text, wherein the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the plain text of step (d) to create the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process; and

(h) a code segment including instructions for transmitting the session key portion and the substantially secure cipher text over a communications link.

86. A computer data signal embodied in a transmission medium, comprising:

(a) a code segment including instructions for accessing a master key portion;

(b) a code segment including instructions for accessing a session key portion;

(c) a code segment including instructions for providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) a code segment including instructions for accessing a substantially secure cipher text;

(e) a code segment including instructions for providing at least a last preselected portion of the sub-keys and the substantially secure cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(f) a code segment including instructions for providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the further intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text; and

(g) a code segment including instructions for repeating the previous steps (d), (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a plain text, wherein the intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the substantially secure cipher text of step (d) to create the intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

87. A computer data signal embodied in a transmission medium, comprising:

(a) a code segment including instructions for accessing a master key portion;

(b) a code segment including instructions for receiving a transmission of one or more discrete signals representing a session key portion and a substantially secure cipher text;

(c) a code segment including instructions for providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) a code segment including instructions for providing at least a last preselected portion of the sub-keys and the substantially secure cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(e) a code segment including instructions for providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the further intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text; and

(f) a code segment including instructions for repeating the previous steps (d) and (e) a sufficient number of times so as to create a plain text, wherein the intermediate cipher text of step (e) of a previous process is accessed in place of the substantially secure cipher text of step (d) to create the intermediate cipher text of step (e) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

88. A method for securing information in an Internet transaction involving information, comprising:

(a) accessing a master key portion;

(b) accessing a session key portion;

(c) providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) accessing a plain text;

(e) providing at least a first preselected portion of the sub-keys and the plain text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text;

(f) providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text; and

(g) repeating the previous steps (d), (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a substantially secure cipher text, wherein the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the plain text of step (d) to create the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

89. A method for securing information in an Internet transaction involving information, comprising:

(a) generating a session key portion;

(b) accessing a master key portion;

(c) providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) accessing plain text;

(e) providing at least a first preselected portion of the sub-keys and the plain text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text;

(f) providing at least an other preselected portion of the sub-keys and the intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(g) repeating the previous steps (d), (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a substantially secure cipher text, wherein the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the plain text of step (d) to create the further intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process; and

(i) transmitting the session key portion and the substantially secure cipher text over a communications link.

90. A method for an Internet transaction involving accessing secure information, comprising:

(a) accessing a master key portion;

(b) accessing a session key portion;

(c) providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) accessing a substantially secure cipher text;

(e) providing at least a last preselected portion of the sub-keys and the substantially secure cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(f) providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the further intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text; and

(g) repeating the previous steps (d), (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a plain text, wherein the intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the substantially secure cipher text of step (d) to create the intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process.

91. A method for an Internet transaction involving accessing secure information, comprising:

(a) accessing a master key portion;

(b) accessing a session key portion;

(c) providing at least a portion of the master key portion and at least a portion of the session key portion to a sub-key generator to create a plurality of sub-keys;

(d) accessing a substantially secure cipher text;

(e) providing at least a last preselected portion of the sub-keys and the substantially secure cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create a further intermediate cipher text;

(f) providing at least another preselected portion of the sub-keys and the further intermediate cipher text to an encryptor/decryptor to create an intermediate cipher text;

(g) repeating the previous steps (d), (e) and (f) a sufficient number of times so as to create a plain text, wherein the intermediate cipher text of step (f) of a previous process is accessed in place of the substantially secure cipher text of step (d) to create the intermediate cipher text of step (f) for the current process and different preselected portions of the sub-keys are used for each process; and

(i) transmitting the session key portion and the substantially secure cipher text over a communications link.