Patent ID: 8732462
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A communication method comprising: receiving from a first client a communication request that includes an encrypted conversation, a first key, and authentication bits, the communication request requesting that a host server sends the encrypted conversation and a decryption key for the encrypted conversation to a second client, wherein the first key is the decryption key that has been encrypted using a first public key associated with a first user at the first client; in order to retrieve the decryption key from the first key, encrypting the decryption key using a second public key associated with a second user at the second client to generate a second key; and sending to the second client the encrypted conversation and the second key; receiving, from the first client, a password reset notification notifying that a password associated with the first user is lost; receiving new authentication bits derived from a new password to be associated with the first user; retrieving a backup secret key associated with the first user, wherein the backup secret key is encrypted using a master public key; sending a password reset request to a management server that maintains a master private key paired with the master public key, wherein the password reset request includes the backup secret key; receiving from the management server a password reset response that includes the secret key associated with the first user; encrypting the secret key using the new authentication bits; and storing the secret key encrypted using the new authentication bits.