Patent ID: 8510563
Filing Date: 2013-08-13
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A communication apparatus configured to operate as a terminal configured to receive electronic mail from a mail server via a network, the communication apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that is configured to receive the electronic mail from the mail server; a first storage unit that is configured to store a certification authority certificate; a second storage unit that is configured to store an electronic mail address corresponding to the user; a verification unit that is configured to verify an electronic signature attached to a first electronic mail received by the receiving unit based on the certification authority certificate stored in the first storage unit; an output unit that is configured to output the first electronic mail when a verification result of the verification unit is positive; a deletion unit that is configured to delete the first electronic mail from the mail server when the first electronic mail is configured to be output by the output unit; a notification unit that is configured to notify a user of information regarding a specific certification authority when a specific certification authority certificate is not stored in the first storage unit, wherein the specific certification authority certificate is issued by the specific certification authority that authenticates the electronic signature attached to the first electronic mail received by the receiving unit, wherein the notification unit executes the notification by transmitting a second electronic mail including the information regarding the specific certification authority to the electronic mail address corresponding to the user stored in the second storage unit; an acquiring unit that is configured to acquire the specific certification authority certificate in accordance with an operation by the user, wherein when the receiving unit receives a third electronic mail, a transmission source of which is the electronic mail address corresponding to the user, and when the specific certification authority is included in the third electronic mail, the acquiring unit acquires the specific certification authority certificate included in the third electronic mail; and a storage control unit that is configured to store the specific certification authority certificate acquired by the acquiring unit in the first storage unit, wherein the receiving unit again receives the first electronic mail from the mail server when the mail server stores the first electronic mail, wherein the verification unit verifies an electronic signature attached to the again received first electronic mail based on the certification authority certificate stored in the first storage unit, and wherein when electronic mails which the receiving unit receives at one time include both of the first electronic mail and the third electronic mail, the specific certification authority certificate included in the third electronic mail is first stored in the first storage unit before the electronic signature attached to the first electronic mail is verified.