Secure electronic mail system

• US 6,499,108 B1
• Filed: 01/28/1999
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson R. Brent
• Original Assignee: Johnson R. Brent
• Inventors: Johnson, R. Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Gail
• Assistant Examiner(s): Seal, James
• Application Number:
  US09/239,425
• Time in Patent Office: 1,426 Days
• Field of Search: 380/28, 713/201, 713/176, 713/184
• US Class Current: 726/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• 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 63/068 using time-dependent keys, e.g. periodically changing keys cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for controlling usage of secret information H04L9/088
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215

Abstract

A system and method for transferring messages securely over a computer network which includes the steps of inputting the message to be transmitted at a first device and then encrypting the message at the first device. An address for a dynamically addressed server is obtained and the first device is connected to the dynamically addressed server. The encrypted message is transmitted from the first device to the server and the message is received at the dynamically addressed server. The message is transmitted from the server to a second device and then the message is decrypted at the second device.

Claims

1. A method for transferring messages on a computer network, comprising:

encoding a message;

inputting said message to be transmitted at a first device;

encrypting said message at said first device;

retrieving an address for a dynamically addressed mail server by contacting a first secure name server separate from said mail server using a unique combination ID/password to retrieve said dynamic address;

connecting said first device to said mail server using said server dynamic address;

transmitting said encrypted message from said first device to said mail server;

receiving said message at said mail server;

transmitting said message from said mail server to a second device;

decrypting said message at said second device; and

decoding said message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining an address for the dynamically addressed mail server further comprises:

contacting a second name server upon a failure to obtain the address from said first secure name server.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically deleting the message after transmitting the message from said dynamically addressed mail server.

4. A method for transferring messages on a computer network, comprising:

establishing a link between an electronic mail server and a network;

retrieving a dynamic address for said electronic mail server from a separate secure name server using a unique combination ID/password;

establish a communication with said electronic mail server across said network;

notifying said secure name server of said dynamic address of said electronic mail server; and

thereafter discontinuing said communication between said electronic mail server and said secure name server.

5. The method for transferring messages on a computer network of claim 4, further comprising:

establishing communication between a remote administrator and said secure name server on said network;

transferring said dynamic address of said electronic mail server from said secure name server to said remote administrator;

discontinuing said communication between said secure name server and said remote administrator.

6. The method for transferring messages on a computer network of claim 5, further comprising:

establishing a communication between said remote administrator and said secure electronic mail server across said network;

updating ID/password combinations for accessing said secure electronic mail server;

discontinuing said communication between said remote administrator and said secure electronic mail server.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

distributing said ID/password combinations to users of said network.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

establishing a communication between a first user and said secure name server using a first unique ID/password combination;

transmitting said dynamic address of said secure electronic mail server to said first user from said secure name server;

discontinuing said communication between said first user and said secure name server.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

establishing a connection between said first user and said secure electronic mail server;

encrypting a message from said first user;

transferring said message from said first user to said secure electronic mail server across said network;

discontinuing the communication between said first user and said secure electronic mail server.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

monitoring said secure electronic mail server by a second user;

notifying said second user that a message is waiting for said second user;

transferring said message from said secure electronic mail server to said second user;

discontinuing said connection between said second user and said electronic mail server.

11. A method for transferring messages on a computer network, comprising:

establishing a link between an electronic mail server and a network;

retrieving a dynamic address for said electronic mail server from a separate secure name server using a unique combination ID/password;

establishing a communication with said electronic mail server across said network;

notifying said secure name server of said dynamic address of said electronic mail server;

thereafter discontinuing said communication between said electronic mail server and said secure name server;

establishing a communication between a first user and said secure name server using a first unique combination ID/password;

transmitting said dynamic address of said secure electronic mail server to said first user from said secure name server; and

discontinuing said communication between said first user and said secure name server.