Method of connecting a user to a network

• US 8,732,318 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: MyMail, Ltd. (MyMail Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: MyMail, Ltd. (MyMail Management, LLC)
• Inventors: Selgas, Thomas Drennan, Massing, Michael Brian, Gmuender, John Everett
• Primary Examiner(s): WINDER, PATRICE L
• Application Number:
  US10/417,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20040015592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,052 Days
• Field of Search: 709/219, 709/220, 709/221, 709/230, 709/245
• US Class Current: 709/228
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0464 using hop-by-hop encryption, i.e. wherein an intermediate entity decrypts the information and re-encrypts it before forwarding it
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• 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 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The present invention comprises a method of and apparatus for simplifying the process of access to a network for a roaming computer user, divides the responsibility of servicing a given user wanting to access the network between multiple parties and minimizes the possibility of improper dissemination of email header data as well as improper use of network resources (including server systems) by non-clients.

Claims

1. A method of providing anonymity to a network user through the dynamic allocation of log-in information to users comprising the steps of:

storing a hidden set of first log-in information in a network accessing device during a temporary communication with an access service connected to the network; and

storing a modified set of hidden second log-in information in said network accessing device when the user, during a subsequent network log-in attempt, is denied access because another user is presently using said first log-in information, said modified set of hidden second log-in information allowing said network accessing device to access the network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein both network users are registered network users.

3. A method of obtaining anonymity on a network comprising the steps of:

accessing the network via an available network service provider (NSP) using a previously provided set of log-in information;

obtaining a set of network access information from an access service databank, the set of network access information having been determined to be unused;

modifying said previously provided set of log-in information with the determined to be unused set of network access information; and

using the last modified set of log-in information when next re-accessing the network via a given NSP.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the determined to be unused set of network access information is not derived from the previously provided set of log-in information.

5. A method of obtaining a set of network access information comprising the steps of:

modifying a stored set of network access information using new information downloaded, via the network, to a network access device from an access provider connected to said network; and

the network access device re-accessing the network via a given network service provider (NSP) using the modified set of network access information.