Secure instant messaging system
First Claim
1. A method to secure communication of data via a messaging system across a computer network, comprising:
- accessing a certificate at a first messaging client, the certificate sent by a second messaging client via a messaging server, wherein the certificate associates a screen name with a public key value, the screen name being associated with a second user of the second messaging client, wherein a first user of the first messaging client is associated to the screen name of the second user by being listed on at least one list of preferred users of the second user as determined by the messaging server;
encrypting an electronic message using the public key value associated with the screen name of the second user; and
sending the encrypted message to the messaging server to be sent to the second messaging client.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A secure instant messaging (IM) system integrates secure instant messaging into existing instant messaging systems. A certificate authority (CA) issues security certificates to users binding the user'"'"'s IM screen name to a public key, used by sending users to encrypt messages and files for the user. The CA uses a subscriber database to keep track of valid users and associated information, e.g. user screen names, user subscription expiration dates, and enrollment agent information. A user sends his certificate to an instant messaging server which publishes the user'"'"'s certificate to other users. Users encrypt instant messages and files using an encryption algorithm and the recipient'"'"'s certificate. A sending user can sign instant messages using his private signing key. The security status of received messages is displayed to recipients.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method to secure communication of data via a messaging system across a computer network, comprising:
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accessing a certificate at a first messaging client, the certificate sent by a second messaging client via a messaging server, wherein the certificate associates a screen name with a public key value, the screen name being associated with a second user of the second messaging client, wherein a first user of the first messaging client is associated to the screen name of the second user by being listed on at least one list of preferred users of the second user as determined by the messaging server; encrypting an electronic message using the public key value associated with the screen name of the second user; and sending the encrypted message to the messaging server to be sent to the second messaging client. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method to secure communication of data via a messaging system across a computer network, comprising:
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sending a first certificate from a first messaging client to a messaging server, wherein the first certificate associates a first screen name with a first public key value, the first screen name being associated with a first user of the first messaging client, wherein the first certificate is sent by the messaging server to users who are associated to the first screen name of the first user by being listed on at least one list of preferred users of the first user; receiving an electronic encrypted message from a second messaging client via the messaging server, the encrypted message encrypted using the first public key value, wherein the second messaging client is associated with a second user included on the at least one list of preferred users; and decrypting the encrypted message using a private key associated with the first user. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system to secure communication of data, the system comprising:
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a cache storing a certificate at a first messaging client, the certificate sent by a second messaging client via a messaging server, wherein the certificate associates a screen name with a public key value, the screen name being associated with a second user of the second messaging client, wherein a first user of the first messaging client is associated to the screen name of the second user by being listed on at least one list of preferred users of the second user as determined by the messaging server; at least one processor configured to access the cache and configured to; encrypt an electronic message using the public key value associated with the screen name of the second user; and send the encrypted message to the messaging server to be sent to the second messaging client. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification