Patent ID: 7930754
Filing Date: 2011-04-19
Classification: G06F,G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for concealing a user identification, the computer implemented method comprising: receiving user input, wherein the user input comprises a user alias; verifying that the user alias is a valid user alias; obtaining a user identification associated with the valid user alias from a database comprising a one-way protected mapping of the valid user alias to the user identification, wherein only a trusted privileged process with a decryption key reverse maps the user identification back to the valid user alias, wherein if the valid user alias is compromised the valid user alias is removed without requiring change of the user identification required for permission; determining whether the valid user alias is one of a plurality of permitted user aliases permitted for one time use in association with the user identification in a database, for connecting in a non-secure environment; responsive to determining the valid user alias is one of a plurality of permitted user aliases specified for one time use in association with the user identification, discarding the valid user alias from the plurality of permitted user aliases stored in the database; determining whether there is at least one remaining valid user alias stored as the plurality of permitted user aliases in the database; responsive to detecting there is at least one remaining valid user alias, marking the next remaining valid user alias from among the plurality of permitted user aliases as the valid user alias; and responsive to detecting there is not remaining valid user alias, generating an sending an electronic mail message to the user specifying there are no remaining permitted user aliases in the database.