Method and apparatus for transmitting messages

• US 6,771,597 B2
• Filed: 07/31/1998
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Makansi, Tarek, Gampper, James Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): HO, DUC CHI
• Application Number:
  US09/127,228
• Publication Number:
  US 20020154631A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,195 Days
• Field of Search: 370/230, 370/231, 370/235, 370/352, 370/351, 370/394, 370/470, 370/401, 370/473, 370/528, 370/392, 708/250, 713/1, 713/189, 713/201, 713/153, 713/166, 714/779, 380/9
• US Class Current: 370/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 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 method of transmitting a message as packets over a network includes at least one from the group consisting of: forming packets with random sizes, transmitting the packets in random order, transmitting the packets through different routes in the network, and transmitting dummy data within the packets. An article of manufacture may include a computer-readable medium having instructions for causing a computer to perform at least one from the group described.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting a message as packets over a network, the method comprising:

providing a predetermined plurality of security processes for selection in processing packets to be transmitted, wherein the predetermined plurality of security processes includes;

forming packets with random sizes;

transmitting the packets in random order, wherein the random includes inserting a hidden ordering key in each packet;

transmitting the packets through different routes in a network; and

transmitting dummy data within the packets;

selecting at least one process from the predetermined plurality of security processes for preventing data detection; and

processing packets according to the selected at least one process from the predetermined plurality of security processes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the hidden ordering key is inserted at a random position in the packet.

3. The method of claim 2, further including encrypting the hidden ordering key.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the packets through different routes includes inserting a hidden ordering key in each packet.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the packets through different routes includes transmitting at least one packet through each route.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the packets through different routes includes transmitting the packets through random routes.

7. The method of claim 1, further including transmitting dummy packets having non-data contents with the packets.

8. The method of claim 1, further including encrypting the message.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting at least one process from the predetermined plurality of security processes is selecting two or more processes from the predetermined plurality of security processes.

10. An article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable readable medium having instructions for causing a computer to perform a method for transmitting a method as packets over a network, the message comprising:

providing a predetermined plurality of security processes for selection in processing packets to be transmitted, wherein the predetermined plurality of security processes includes;

forming packets with random sizes;

transmitting the packets in random order, wherein the random order includes inserting a hidden ordering key in each packet;

transmitting the packets through different routes in a network; and

transmitting dummy data within the packets;

selecting at least one process from the predetermined plurality of security processes for preventing data detection; and

processing packets according to the selected at least one process from the predetermined plurality of security processes.

11. The article of manufacture of claim 10, wherein the selecting at least one process from the predetermined plurality of security processes is selecting two or more processes from the predetermined plurality of security processes.

12. A method of transmitting a message as packets over a network, the method comprising:

providing a predetermined plurality of security processes for selection in processing packets to be transmitted, wherein the predetermined plurality of security processes includes;

forming packets with random sizes;

transmitting the packets in random order through different routes in a network, wherein the random order includes inserting a hidden ordering key in each packet and

transmitting dummy data within the packets;

selecting at least one process from the predetermined plurality of security processes for preventing data detection; and

processing packets according to the selected at least one process from the predetermined plurality of security processes.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the selecting at least one process from the predetermined plurality of security processes is selecting two or more processes from the predetermined plurality of security processes.