Secure messaging center

Abstract

A secure messaging system is disclosed wherein messages are transmitted to a user based on a feature unique to the user, such as an account number. The user authenticates himself, then messages associated with the user can be displayed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application is a continuation of and claims priority to, and the benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 601,468 entitled “SECURE MESSAGING CENTER”, filed on Jun. 23, 2003. The '468 application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 465,818, filed Apr. 25, 2003. Each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This application generally relates to a system for secure messaging, and more particularly, to a compute-implemented method and system for providing a secure area for users to read electronic messages.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Electronic mail (“e-mail”) has revolutionized communications. Before the advent of e-mail, communications in writing were typically transferred via a postal service or facsimile. However, both methods suffer from various problems. For example, mail sent via the postal service takes a relatively long time to reach the ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, both methods suffer from various problems.

For example, mail sent via the postal service takes a relatively long time to reach the destination, and the cost to decrease the delivery time rises quickly if a special delivery service is used.

Facsimile transmission often suffers from quality and availability problems, as a facsimile transmission is typically of lower quality than the original and many individuals do not have easy access to facsimile machines.

However, one problem with typical e-mail usage is the relative low security of e-mail transmissions.

However, such an encryption process is often cumbersome and many people do not wish to go through the routine of decrypting the e-mail and / or sending their keys to e-mail senders.

Such information is intended to be private and it is not desirable to allow third parties to read these types of messages.

However, in addition to the limitations discussed above, usage of postal services usually results in additional expenditures for the business, such as envelopes, paper, and postage, that may not be necessary if electronic statements were utilized.

However, such a setup still suffers from a variety of problems.

For example, the e-mail being sent to the customer containing the URL is not secure, meaning that one can intercept the message and access the URL in question.

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