Enhanced challenge-response

• US 8,112,483 B1
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Radix Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Radix Holdings, LLC
• Inventors: Emigh, Aaron T., Roskind, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Strange, Aaron
• Application Number:
  US10/915,240
• Time in Patent Office: 2,738 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 726/2, 713/182
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation

Abstract

In some embodiments, a technique for challenging a message comprises receiving a message, providing a captcha, providing a machine-solvable puzzle, and sending the captcha and the machine-solvable puzzle.

Claims

1. A method for challenging a message, comprising:

at an electronic computing device, sending a challenge via an electronic communications network, wherein the challenge is associated with a puzzle and comprises an encoded specification of the puzzle, wherein the encoding provides certification;

receiving a response via the electronic communications network, wherein the response comprises an answer to the puzzle and the encoded specification of the puzzle;

determining whether the encoded specification of the puzzle is valid;

considering the answer incorrect, when it is determined that the encoded specification of the puzzle is not valid; and

decoding the encoded specification of the puzzle and determining whether the answer fulfills the decoded specification of the puzzle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the puzzle includes a captcha.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the puzzle includes a machine-solvable puzzle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the challenge is an email, and the encoded specification of the puzzle is included in a header of the challenge message.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle is encrypted using a secret key.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle includes a cryptographic signature.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering an electronic message, when it is determined that the answer fulfills the decoded specification.

8. A system for challenging a message at an electronic computing device, comprising:

a processor configured to;

send a challenge via an electronic communications network, wherein the challenge is associated with a puzzle and comprises an encoded specification of the puzzle, wherein the encoding provides certification;

receiving a response via the electronic communications network, wherein the response comprises an answer to the puzzle and the encoded specification of the puzzle;

determine whether the encoded specification of the puzzle is valid;

consider the answer incorrect, when it is determined that the encoded specification of the puzzle is not valid; and

decode the encoded specification of the puzzle and determine whether the answer fulfills the decoded specification of the puzzle; and

a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory provides instructions to the processor.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the puzzle includes a captcha.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the puzzle includes a machine-solvable puzzle.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the challenge is an email, and the encoded specification of the puzzle is included in a header of the challenge message.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle is encrypted using a secret key.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle includes a cryptographic signature.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising delivering an electronic message, when it is determined that the answer fulfills the decoded specification.

15. A computer program product for challenging a message, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:

sending a challenge via an electronic communications network, wherein the challenge is associated with a puzzle and comprises an encoded specification of the puzzle, wherein the encoding provides certification;

receiving a response via the electronic communications network, wherein the response comprises an answer to the puzzle and the encoded specification of the puzzle;

determining whether the encoded specification of the puzzle is valid;

considering the answer incorrect, when it is determined that the encoded specification of the puzzle is not valid; and

decoding the encoded specification of the puzzle and determining whether the answer fulfills the decoded specification of the puzzle.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the puzzle includes a captcha.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the puzzle includes a machine-solvable puzzle.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the challenge is an email, and the encoded specification of the puzzle is included in a header of the challenge message.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle is encrypted using a secret key.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle includes a cryptographic signature.

21. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising delivering an electronic message, when it is determined that the answer fulfills the decoded specification.