METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC ENCRYPTION AND DECRYPTION OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

• US 20090235065A1
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andreas Nilsson, Bjorn Olsson
• Original Assignee: Andreas Nilsson, Bjorn Olsson
• Inventors: Nilsson, Andreas, Olsson, Bjorn
• Application Number:
  US12/280,797
• Publication Number:
  US 20090235065A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/150
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/083 involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP]

Abstract

The method is for encryption and decryption of electronic communication. A monitoring module in an operating system of a first communication device is provided. A sender sends an electronic message addressed to a receiver of a second communication device. The monitoring module intercepts the message and sends a request signal to a database module. The database module monitors a secured list and sends back a positive signal when the receiver is on the list. The monitoring module sends an encryption request to an encryption/decryption module. The encryption/decryption module encrypts the message and returns an encrypted message. The encrypted message is sent as a communication signal to the second communication device.

Claims

1. A method for encryption and decryption of electronic communication, comprising:

providing a monitoring module (12) in an operating system of a first communication device (10),

a sender (52) sending an electronic message (50) addressed to a receiver (56) of a second communication device (54), the second communication device (54) being in communication with the first communication device (10) via a network (22),

the monitoring module (12) automatically intercepting the message (50) prior to sending the electronic message (50) to the second communication device (54),

the monitoring module (12) sending a request signal (28) to a database module (16),

the database module (16) monitoring a secured list (30),

the database module (16) sending back a positive signal (33) when the receiver (56) is on the list (30) and a negative signal (34) when the receiver (56) is not on the list (30),

upon receipt of the negative signal (34), the monitoring module (12) sending the electronic message (50) without any encryption,

upon receipt of the positive signal (33), the monitoring module (12) sending an encryption request (36) to an encryption/decryption module (14) only when the receiver (56) is on the list (30),

upon receipt of the encryption request (36), the encryption/decryption module (14) encrypting the message (50) and returning an encrypted message (60); and

sending the encrypted message (60) as a communication signal (62) to the second communication device (54).

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the monitoring module (12) automatically intercepting the outgoing message (50) without requiring any additional input from the sender (52).

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the encryption/decryption module (14) using a public key or pass-phrase (40) of the receiver (56) when encrypting the message (50).

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the first communication device (10) receiving an incoming signal (24) from a sender (26) intended for an internal receiver (51), the monitoring module (12) intercepting the signal (24) and sending a request signal (28) to the database signal (16), the monitoring module (12) forwarding the incoming signal (24) to the receiver (51) without decryption only when the receiver (51) is not on the secured list (30).

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the method further comprises the monitoring module (12) receiving the positive signal (33) indicating that the receiver (51) is on the secured list (30), the module sending a decrypt request (58) to the encryption/decryption module (14).

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein the method further comprises the encryption/decryption module (14) using a private key or pass-phrase (40) to decrypt the message (24).

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the method further comprises the monitoring module (12) automatically intercepting the message (24) before the message (24) reaches the receiver (51) without requiring any input from the receiver (51).

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the method further comprises forwarding a message (44) including the decrypted message (24) to the receiver (51).