Encrypted Message Block Layout for Hidden Redundancy Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic message redundancy techniques are ineffective in detecting tampering, as an intercepting party can maliciously alter the message content while preserving the redundancy value, rendering the CRC or hash comparison unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a varying locating value for each message, allowing the redundancy value to be placed at non-uniform locations within the message, and encrypts the message using a session key, ensuring the redundancy value is securely embedded and difficult to intercept, with the recipient using the same locating value to extract and verify the message integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the redundancy value is appended at the end of the message file, then the message structure is simple and easy to implement, but the redundancy value can be easily located and altered by intercepting parties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing the redundancy value at different positions within the message file rather than always at the end. The position is determined by a position value that varies between messages, causing the redundancy value to be located at different local positions. This makes it difficult for intercepting parties to predict and alter the redundancy value while maintaining the simplicity of the overall message structure.
2Reliability
If the redundancy value is encrypted with the message, then the message security is improved, but the recipient cannot locate and extract the redundancy value for verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the message file into multiple components including message content, position value, and redundancy value. The position value acts as a separate element that guides the recipient to locate the redundancy value within the encrypted message. This segmentation allows the redundancy value to remain encrypted for security while still being locatable through the position value mechanism.
3Productivity
If a fixed position is used for the redundancy value, then the message processing is efficient, but the redundancy value can be easily targeted and manipulated by attackers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the position of the redundancy value variable rather than fixed. A position value is used to determine where the redundancy value is placed within the message file, and this position changes for different messages. This dynamic positioning maintains processing efficiency while preventing attackers from targeting a specific fixed location for manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for adding a redundancy check to an electronic message to discourage tampering and facilitate identification of altered messages provides a communication device for composing message content, a messaging module with a formatting and encoding layer for encoding the message content with header information in a series of message blocks, and an encryption layer for calculating a redundancy check value and inserting the value in one or more locations within the series of message blocks according a rule defined by a characteristic of the message content or the header information, and encrypting the message for delivery to a recipient. Upon receipt, the recipient communication device decrypts the message, extracts the redundancy check value from the message, and compares a calculated redundancy check value with the extracted redundancy check value to determine if the message had been altered before receipt.