Methods and systems for providing security for accessing networks, methods and systems for providing security for accessing the internet
First Claim
1. A system for providing security for accessing the Internet, the system comprising:
- a host network configured to provide access to the Internet;
an access module configured to establish a communication link with one or more mobile client computing devices from a public location; and
a server configured to establish a communication link between the access module and the host network, the server being configured to issue individual users of a mobile client computing device different keys that uniquely identify each user, the keys being configured for use with data packets that are transmitted from the client computing device to the access module, wherein the server is configured to provide multiple security options that provide different levels of security for a user, wherein one level of security is associated with a number of different encryption algorithms that can be selected for use to encrypt data packets that are sent from the mobile client computing device, wherein the number of different algorithms is selectable independent of any other security option.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing network access, e.g. Internet access, are described. An architecture includes a host organization network through which network access is provided. The host organization network can be advantageously deployed in public areas such as airports and shopping malls. An authentication/negotiation component is provided for authenticating various users and negotiating for services with service providers on behalf of the system users. The authentication/negotiation component can include one or more specialized servers and a policy manager that contains policies that govern user access to the Internet. An authentication database is provided and authenticates various users of the system. An access module is provided through which individual client computing devices can access the Internet. In one embodiment, the access module comprises individual wireless access points that permit the client computing devices to wirelessly communicate data packets that are intended for the Internet. In one aspect, users are given a variety of choices of different service levels that they can use for accessing the Internet. The service levels can vary in such things as bandwidth allocation and security measures. The various service levels can be purchased by the users using their computing devices.
126 Citations
43 Claims
-
1. A system for providing security for accessing the Internet, the system comprising:
-
a host network configured to provide access to the Internet; an access module configured to establish a communication link with one or more mobile client computing devices from a public location; and a server configured to establish a communication link between the access module and the host network, the server being configured to issue individual users of a mobile client computing device different keys that uniquely identify each user, the keys being configured for use with data packets that are transmitted from the client computing device to the access module, wherein the server is configured to provide multiple security options that provide different levels of security for a user, wherein one level of security is associated with a number of different encryption algorithms that can be selected for use to encrypt data packets that are sent from the mobile client computing device, wherein the number of different algorithms is selectable independent of any other security option. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A system for providing security for accessing the Internet comprising:
-
a host network configured to provide access to the Internet; multiple wireless access points communicatively linked with the host network and configured to accommodate wireless communication with one or more client computing devices; and a server configured to establish a communication link between the multiple wireless access points and the host network, the server being configured to offer multiple different levels of service for wireless selection and purchase by one or more users using a client computing device, the different levels of service providing multiple degrees of security that protect communication between the client computing devices and the server, wherein the multiple degrees of security are associated with the number of encryption algorithms that are available for selection by the server for use in encrypting communication that takes place between the client computing devices and the server, the server being further configured to allow a user to make a selection from among the different levels of service, and wherein the number of encryption algorithms is selectable by a user independently from other degrees of security. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method for providing security for accessing the Internet comprising:
-
establishing a communication link between a client computing device and a server that is configured to enable the client computing device to access the Internet; and offering for purchase via the communication link various levels of security that can be used to protect communication between the client computing device and the server, wherein indicia associated with said levels of security are presented to a user to allow the user to make a selection from among the levels of security, wherein one option associated with the levels of security enables a user to select the number of encryption algorithms that are available for selection by the server for use in encrypting communication that takes place between the client computing device and the server, the user selection of the number of algorithms occurring independently from the selection of any other security options. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. One or more computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions thereon which, when executed by one or more computers, cause the computers to:
-
establish a wireless communication link between a mobile client computing device and a server that is configured to enable the client computing device to access the Internet; and offer for purchase via the wireless communication link various levels of security that can be used to protect communication between the client computing device and the server, wherein indicia associated with said levels of security are presented to a user to allow the user to make a selection from among the levels of security, wherein one option associated with the levels of security enables a user to select the number of encryption algorithms that are available for selection by the server for use in encrypting communication that takes place between the client computing device and the server, the user selection of the number of algorithms occurring independently from the selection of any other security options.
-
-
30. A method for providing security for accessing the Internet comprising:
-
establishing a wireless communication link with a mobile computing device; issuing, via the wireless communication link, to a user of the mobile computing device, a unique key that is to be used by the user each time the user'"'"'s mobile computing device generates and sends a data packet intended for the Internet; offering, to a user of the mobile computing device, multiple levels of security that can be used to protect communication associated with the client computing device, wherein one option associated with the levels of security enables a user to select, independent of the selection of any other security option, the number of encryption algorithms that are available for use in encrypting communication associated with the client computing device, receiving data packets from the mobile computing device that are encrypted with the unique key and which are intended for transmission to the Internet; and decrypting the encrypted data packets; and sending the decrypted data packets to the Internet. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. A method for providing security for accessing the Internet comprising:
-
defining a plurality of different security options that can be used to provide security for wireless Internet access; and offering the security options at different prices for purchase by users who might wish to wirelessly access the Internet, wherein said offering comprises displaying indicia associated with said security options to allow a user to make a selection from among the security options, wherein the security options provide for varying levels of encryption of data packets that can be wirelessly sent from a computing device that is used by the user, said levels ranging from full encryption of the entire data packet to encryption of only a header of the data packet wherein portions other than the header are not encrypted; wherein the plurality of different security options include an option that enables the user to select, independent of the selection of any other security option, a number of encryption algorithms that are available for use in providing security for the wireless Internet access. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
-
Specification