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Key distribution for secure messaging

  • US 8,135,645 B2
  • Filed: 03/03/2006
  • Issued: 03/13/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2005
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. At least one computer-readable storage medium having executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to:

  • secure, by a communications gateway implemented as at least one domain name server of a domain, an electronic message for a sending agent associated with the domain, wherein the sending agent is a source of the electronic message, and wherein to secure the electronic message comprises;

    retrieving a public encryption key associated with at least one other domain of a receiving agent that is an intended recipient of the electronic message;

    generating a symmetric key associated with the domain associated with the sending agent;

    encrypting the electronic message using the symmetric key to provide an encrypted version of the electronic message; and

    encrypting the symmetric key using the public encryption key to provide an encrypted symmetric key;

    transmit, by the communications gateway on behalf of the sending agent, the encrypted version of the electronic message to at least one other communications gateway implemented as at least one other domain server of at least one other domain;

    receive, at the at least one other communications gateway on behalf of the receiving agent, the encrypted version of the electronic message;

    provide, by the at least one other communications gateway, a decrypted version of the electronic message to the receiving agent, wherein to provide the decrypted version of the electronic message comprises;

    retrieving a public verification key corresponding to the domain associated with the sending agent;

    utilizing the public verification key in combination with a private key corresponding to the at least one other domain to decrypt the encrypted symmetric key to provide a decrypted symmetric key, wherein the private key corresponding to the at least one other domain is stored locally at the at least one other domain and is a private counterpart to the public encryption key retrieved by the communications gateway; and

    decrypting the encrypted version of the electronic message using the decrypted symmetric key to provide the decrypted version of the electronic message; and

    forwarding the decrypted version of the electronic message to the receiving agent.

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