Email Server Discovery Secret Header for Secure Domain Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems are vulnerable to spam and denial of service attacks when attempting to identify potential correspondents directly, lacking a secure method to establish a compatible interconnection between domains.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where an email server adds a discovery secret header to messages, allowing the detection of compatible secure email technology by verifying administrative messages with a specific secret, enabling secure connections between domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If systems communicate directly to identify potential correspondents, then the identification process is simple and direct, but the system becomes vulnerable to spam and denial of service attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism using discovery secrets embedded in email headers as a mediator between domains. Instead of direct communication for identification, the system uses these secret headers as a trusted intermediary that enables secure discovery of compatible mail servers without exposing the system to spam and DoS attacks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-embedding discovery secrets in email headers before the actual communication identification process. This preliminary placement of security mechanisms allows the system to verify compatibility and establish secure connections without exposing vulnerable communication channels to attackers.
2Reliability
If a discovery secret header is added to messages, then secure identification and compatibility verification are enabled, but message complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the security function into a separate discovery secret header component that can be independently processed. This segmentation allows the security verification mechanism to be isolated from the main message body, enabling efficient processing where only the header needs to be validated for compatibility while the main message content remains unchanged.
3Reliability
If administrative messages require verification with secrets, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but the complexity of message verification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the discovery secret verification mechanism, where the system checks whether received administrative messages contain the expected secret header. This feedback loop provides automatic authorization control by comparing the secret in the message header against the expected value, enabling secure verification without complex manual processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A discovery secret is transmitted from the source domain to the correspondent domain. The discovery secret includes a data element specific to the correspondent domain and. The discovery secret includes a source domain address to which the correspondent domain is permitted send a message in order to determine that a potential correspondent has compatible secure email technology so that a link between the source domain and the correspondent domain may be established. The discovery secret is received by the correspondent domain including receiving the data element and the source domain address. An invitation is transmitted from the correspondent domain to the source domain address. The invitation includes the data element or an element corresponding to the data element. The source domain initiates a process to establish a link with the correspondent domain upon receipt by the source domain of the invitation.