Patent ID: 7293171
Filing Date: 2007-11-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for protecting the identity of one or more hidden recipients of an email message, the email message comprising an email header and an email body, the method comprising: creating a first encrypted email body by encrypting the email body using a first encryption key; creating a second encrypted email body by encrypting the email body using a second encryption key; creating a first encrypted email message, said first encrypted email message comprising a first email header referencing one or more revealed recipients, said first encrypted email message further comprising the first encrypted email body and, for each of the one or more revealed recipients, an encrypted version of the first encryption key; creating a second encrypted email message, said second encrypted email message comprising a second email header referencing one or more hidden recipients, said second encrypted email message further comprising the second encrypted email body and, for each of the one or more hidden recipients, an encrypted version of the second encryption key; transmitting the first encrypted email message to the one or more revealed recipients referenced by the first email header; and transmitting the second encrypted email message to the one or more hidden recipients referenced by the first email header.