Dynamic N-gram Encoding for Secure Mobile Messaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing messaging systems lack a secure and user-controlled method for encoding and decoding messages, especially on mobile devices, which can lead to unintended exposure of sensitive information, and current encoding schemes are not highly secure or adaptable.
Innovation Solution
A method that encodes messages using a default code and allows users to define replacement rules based on n-grams, requiring user interaction for decoding, such as entering a PIN or conducting a gesture, and enables users to modify the default code transiently, enhancing security and user control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If messages are displayed in unencoded form on mobile device screens, then readability and user convenience are improved, but security and privacy are compromised due to unintended exposure of sensitive information
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies encoding to messages before they are displayed on the mobile device screen. This preliminary encoding action ensures that sensitive information is protected from unintended exposure while maintaining the ability to display readable content when needed, directly resolving the contradiction between readability and security
2Ease of manufacture
If a default code with one-to-one character translation is used for encoding, then implementation simplicity is improved, but security is weakened because users can quickly adapt and decode messages
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the encoding code based on user-defined replacement rules and contextual factors. Instead of using a static one-to-one character translation, the encoding adapts to different situations, making it much harder for users to adapt and decode messages while still maintaining implementation feasibility through programmable rules
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the encoding scheme by allowing users to define custom replacement rules that map characters or character sequences to different code representations. This parameter customization transforms the simple default code into a more secure, adaptable encoding system that maintains implementation simplicity while significantly improving security
3Reliability
If complex encoding schemes are implemented to improve security, then message protection is enhanced, but computational power and resources are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The encoding system processes messages by segmenting them into character sequences and applying replacement rules to each segment independently. This segmentation approach allows the system to achieve enhanced security through multiple transformation layers while keeping the computational burden manageable by processing smaller units sequentially rather than requiring complex global transformations
4Reliability
If users are given control over encoding and decoding through interaction requirements, then security and user acceptance are improved, but ease of operation is reduced due to additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic interaction requirements for decoding, such as requiring user actions at specific intervals or under certain conditions. This periodic verification mechanism enhances security by ensuring that only authorized users can access decoded messages, while the structured nature of these periodic requirements makes the additional steps predictable and manageable rather than overly cumbersome
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a messaging system for providing encoded communication between users of a network. The method includes the steps of encoding and decoding of messages with electronic devices using a default code, providing at least one n-gram to a user, wherein the n-gram includes a sequence of at least two characters, defining a replacement rule by selecting the at least one n-gram and assigning the selected n-gram to at least one replacement code character, and activating the replacement rule by substituting each appearance of the selected n-gram in a first message with the replacement code character.