Electronic Message Authentication via HMAC Validation Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Business entities face challenges in authenticating electronic messages due to mimicking by third parties, leading to customer skepticism and difficulties in providing relevant information.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of cryptographic standards for generating keyed-hash message authentication codes (HMAC) in electronic messages, which are validated using a unique cryptographic key, enabling recipients to verify the authenticity of messages through an electronic message validation service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic messages are transmitted without cryptographic authentication, then message transmission is simple and fast, but message authenticity cannot be verified and phishing attacks cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cryptographic authentication by embedding HMAC codes in electronic messages before delivery. The validation service pre-establishes cryptographic relationships between senders and recipients, so that when a message arrives, the authenticity verification has already been prepared and can be performed automatically without complex user-side verification systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic message validation service as an intermediary between message senders and recipients. This validation service handles the complex cryptographic verification operations centrally, allowing individual users to receive authenticated messages without implementing complex verification systems themselves. The intermediary absorbs the complexity while providing simple verification capabilities to end users.
2Reliability
If cryptographic validation is implemented for all electronic messages, then message authenticity is verified, but network traffic increases due to validation requests
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements selective validation where the validation service determines on a per-message basis whether cryptographic verification is necessary. Not all electronic messages require full validation - the system applies verification partially based on risk assessment, message characteristics, and sender reputation, thereby reducing unnecessary network traffic while maintaining authenticity verification for messages that need it.
Solution Approach 2:
The validation service incorporates intelligent routing that allows clearly authenticated messages (those with valid HMAC codes from trusted senders) to pass through without requiring validation requests. Only messages with suspicious characteristics trigger validation requests, allowing the system to self-regulate traffic based on the actual authentication needs of each message.
3Ease of operation
If no authentication mechanism is provided, then users receive all electronic messages without restriction, but users cannot differentiate authentic messages from phishing attempts
Solution Approach 1:
The validation service provides visual indicators to users that clearly distinguish authenticated messages from unauthenticated ones. Messages with successful cryptographic verification receive positive visual indicators (such as checkmarks or colored badges), while unverified or suspicious messages receive warning indicators. This visual differentiation makes it easy for users to identify authentic messages without requiring them to understand cryptographic concepts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate feedback to users about message authenticity through visual indicators and validation status displays. When a user receives a message, the validation service automatically provides feedback about whether the message is authenticated, allowing users to quickly assess message credibility without manual verification steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic message delivery service receives a request to transmit an electronic message to a recipient. In response to the request, the electronic message delivery service determines first information from the electronic message usable to uniquely identify the electronic message. The electronic message delivery service obtains, based at least in part on the first information and a cryptographic key, cryptographic information that can be inserted into the electronic message. The electronic message delivery service inserts the cryptographic information and second information usable to validate at least a portion of the electronic message with the cryptographic information into the electronic message. The electronic message is transmitted to the recipient.