Abstract:
The present invention enables secure transactions or access using insecure endpoint devices, such as computers, tablets and smart-phones. These insecure devices are potentially compromised with malicious software that may attack the user in every possible way. The present invention does not pretend to prevent malware. Instead, malware attacks against secure transactions and access are made obsolete. The present invention includes data, directly connected to transaction or access request to Relying-Party-Service-Provider, into authentication process of Identity-as-a-Service Provider. The present invention includes user authentication using mobile phone vs. Identity-Management-as-a-Service provider. The present invention also includes entering request for secure transaction or access to Relying-Party-Service-Provider, using insecure device. The present invention also includes two-way communication between Relying-Party-Service-Provider and Identity-Management-as-a-Service. The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it is resilient to malware attack.

Description:
[0001]    The following invention claims the benefits of provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/859,251. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention is in the field of Information Technology (IT) Security. More specifically it refers to user willing to gain access to IT resources of Relying Party Service Provider or execute transaction using Relying-Party-Service-Provider, using any endpoint or network-connected device. Furthermore it refers to user authentication using mobile phone vs. Identity-Management-as-a-Service in order to secure user&#39;s transaction or access with Relying-Party-Service-Provider. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    The architecture of Identity Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) systems is based on concept of service providers or Relying-Party-Service-Providers, identity provider or Identity-Management-as-a-Service and clients or users (see for example U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,247 B2). Relying-Party-Service-Providers enable user&#39;s access and transactions. Identity-Management-as-a-Service verifies user&#39;s identity. 
         [0004]    Users routinely gain access to IT resources or execute transactions using variety of endpoints or network-connected devices, such as PCs, laptops, tablets, smart-phones, etc. These users are filling user-action-request-forms for login or transaction vs. Relying-Party-Service-Providers. These users are also challenged to provide their username/password and/or some kind of hardware/token or smartcard and/or to provide their biometric characteristics such as face, finger, voice, iris, etc. It is understood, that increasing authentication complexity, does not bring more security, while adding considerable cost and inconvenience. 
         [0005]    The main obstacle to better security is that network-related devices and endpoints, such as computers, tablets, smart phones, etc. are generally insecure. For example: David Dill, Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University , Calif., USA, co-authored “Computer Technologists&#39; Statement on Internet Voting” where he states that “The voting system as a whole must be verifiably accurate in spite of the fact that client systems can never be guaranteed to be free of malicious logic. Malicious software, firmware, or hardware could change, fabricate, or delete votes, deceive the user in myriad ways including modifying the ballot presentation” (see ref. 11). 
         [0006]    Numerous schemes were developed for strong authentication. For example: in authentication, out-of-band refers to utilizing two separate networks or channels, one of which being different from the primary network or channel, simultaneously used to communicate between two parties or devices for identifying a user. A cellular network is commonly used for out-of-band authentication. An example of out-of-band authentication is when an online banking user is accessing their online bank account with a login and a one time password (OTP) is sent to their mobile phone via SMS to identify them. The primary channel would be the online login screen where the user enters their login information and the second separate channel would be the cellular network. This process is sometimes called 2-step verification (used by Google and others). This is sequential, step after step process, where user is challenged by the website to enter OTP. This added layer of security prevents the likelihood of hackers and malware from compromising access to the complete authentication process, however, this method of authenticating a user is known to be vulnerable to man-in-the-mobile (MITMO) attacks. 
         [0007]    Another malicious software attack is called Man-in-the-Browser attack. Man-in-the-Browser is a proxy Trojan horse that infects a web browser by taking advantage of vulnerabilities in browser security to modify web pages, modify transaction content or insert additional transactions, all in a completely covert fashion invisible to both the user and host web application. Man-in-the-Browser simply waits until user login using any authentication (weak or strong) and then steals user&#39;s money. 
         [0008]    Recently issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,896 B2 teaches on “Authentication Methods for use in Financial Transactions and Information Banking” EP 2 065 798 A1 patent application teaches on “Method for performing secure online transactions with a mobile station and a mobile station”. None of these patents addresses the issue of malware and insecure endpoint devices. US 2012/0240203 A1 application on “Method and Apparatus for Enhancing Online Transaction Security via Secondary Confirmation” proposes to deal with PC being insecure device by sending secondary transaction to mobile device. This approach does not solve the problem, for example, due to the man-in-the-mobile attack. 
         [0009]    Therefore the need exists for a method and a system for secure transaction and access using insecure endpoint devices. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem. 
       [0010]    The problem to be solved is the need to authenticate the user and to execute user&#39;s request for access or for transaction on any endpoint device, so that the whole process will be secure from malicious attacks. 
       Solution to the Problem. 
       [0011]    The user willing to execute request for access or transaction vs. Relying-Party-Service-Provider (bank, online shop, etc.) is requested to perform strong authentication vs. Identity-Management-as-a-Service Provider (where user is already registered). The present invention separates user authentication (vs. Identity-Management-as-a-Service), user action-request (vs. Relying-Party-Service-Provider) and action-request-authorization (between Relying-Party-Service-Provider and Identity-Management-as-as-Service) into three steps, introducing novel 3-step verification, including the following distinctive features: 
         [0012]    1. The present invention changes the verification topography from user-centric (user is the last node to request authorization) to service-centric (service is the last node to request authorization). This topography change is crucial in malware environment, since user&#39;s endpoint device and user&#39;s mobile phone are potentially malware compromised, while service provider&#39;s network and computers are generally malware free. 
         [0013]    2. The present invention provides for phone-based, client-less, voice-channel, strong authentication, preferably with voice biometrics match performed at the Identity-Management-as-a-Service provider side. The prevent invention is applicable to any phone. The most ubiquitous and user-convenient device is mobile phone. We will refer, hereinafter, to mobile phone. 
         [0014]    3. The present invention requires that data, directly-connected with transaction or access details, to be included during voice channel strong authentication. 
         [0015]    4. The present invention provides easy integration with multiple applications and Relying-Party-Service Providers, for example: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 4.1 New user open account at Relying-Party-Service-Provider website 
               
               
                 4.2 Returning user login at Relying-Party-Service-Provider website: 
               
               
                 4.3 Third party money transfer at Relying-Party-Bank website 
               
               
                 4.4 Online store at Relying-Party-Payment Processor 
               
               
                 4.5 ATM Cash withdrawal at Relying-Party-Payment Processor 
               
               
                 4.6 Point-of-sale at Relying-Party-Payment Processor 
               
               
                 4.7 Online voting at Relying-Party-Election website 
               
               
                 4.8 Electronic Signature of text messages (SMS or Tweets) 
               
               
                 4.9 Mobile application (Gaming, Financial, Dating, Smart Home, Messaging) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0016]    The present invention has the advantage for being resilient to malware attacks, while being applicable to any endpoint device and wide variety of applications. Since it is client-less, without software running on mobile phone, malware way to attack is to impersonate user&#39;s interaction with Identity-Management-as-a-Service. This voice impersonation can be mitigated by utilizing user&#39;s Voice Biometrics verification. The further advantage is usage of widely ubiquitous mobile phone as the authentication device, without the need for specialized hardware or software. The further advantage is similar, intuitive and user-friendly experience for wide variety day-to-day activities. The further advantage is ease of integration with multiple user-requested-actions and applications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Various exemplary embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a flowchart of 3-step verification, including User, Relying-Party-Service Provider and Identity-Management-as-a-Service, 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of an interactive, voice-only, phone call, between the User and the Identity-Management-as-a-Service, 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an interactive, mixed DTMF (Dual-Tone-Multi-Frequency) signaling and voice, phone call, between the User and the Identity-Management-as-a-Service, 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is an example of different authorization codes that different Relying-Party-Service Providers and applications may use with the present invention, 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a data flow example for third-party money transfer authorization, 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of Voice Biometrics Registration process, 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart of Voice Biometrics Authentication process, 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a diagram of a system providing for secure transactions and access according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    A system and method for conducting transactions and access using insecure endpoint devices is described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  the embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps: 
         [0028]    Step A: User  1  dials-in  2  Identity-Management-as-a-Service  4 . Identity-Management-as-a-Service  4  prompts user to say user&#39;s Personal Identification Number (PIN) and identifies Caller ID number of user&#39;s mobile phone, thus comprising user&#39;s two tier of authentication. If user&#39;s identity is verified, then Identity-Management-as-a-Service prompts user to say requested-action authorization code. Authorization code is defined by Relying-Party-Service-Provider as digital code, being directly connected to user&#39;s login or user&#39;s transaction vs. Relying-Party-Service-Provider. See  FIG. 4  for examples of different authorization codes. Please note that the Identity-Management-as-Service  4  cannot know what action user is requesting, thus ensuring user&#39;s privacy. Identity-Management-as-a-Service  4  repeats authorization code and asks user for confirmation. On positive confirmation- Identity-Management-as-a-Service tells user multi-digit Pass-code  3  (for example—8 digit number). 
         [0029]    Step B: User fills in action-request-form  5  (i.e. login or transaction request) for Relying-Party-Service-Provider website  6 . The form will include multi-digit Pass-code of Step A and Online Identity-as-a-Service web address (alternatively—the form will not include web address if it is known upfront, when Relying-Party-Service-Provider is registering with Identity-Management-as-a-Service). 
         [0030]    Step C: Relying-Party-Service-Provider  6  receives the form of Step B and detects existence of Identity-Management-as-a-Service web address and multi-digit Pass-code. Then, Relying-Party-Service-Provider queries web address  7  of Identity-Management-as-a-Service with multi-digit Pass-code. Identity-Management-as-a-Service returns 8 user&#39;s ID and user&#39;s action authorization code. Relying-Party-Service-Provider  6  matches user&#39;s ID with user&#39;s authorization privileges and matches user&#39;s action authorization code with transaction or access request content, that user submitted to Relying-Party- Service-Provider  6  (for example matching transaction data with 4-last digits of transaction recipient bank account).This results in secure transaction , even though the endpoint device, used to submit the transaction online, may be insecure and compromised by malware. 
         [0031]    The preferred embodiment of present invention uses Voice Biometrics (as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,913,196 and 6,510,415) to prevent malware attacks on voice interaction channel between the user and the Identity-Management-as-a-Service. The Voice Biometrics match is performed on Identity-Management-as-a-Service side, using the voice data provided by the user during the interaction with the Identity-Management-as-a-Service. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5  are further describing invention and its embodiments. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , describing Voice Only call flow of Step A in par. [0015]. The interaction between the Identity-Management-as-a-Service  22  and the user  20 , starts with Caller ID detection  24 , followed by three service challenges ( 26 , 30 , 36 ) and three (one static and two variable) user responses ( 28 , 32 , 38 ), service confirmation using Service speech recognizer output ( 34 ) and is finalized by service random result ( 40 ). Voice Biometrics in conjunction with Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), running on the Identity-Management-as-a-Service side, is the preferred mode of operation. 
         [0034]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 —potential malware attacker would need to possess at least text-to-speech and speech recognition engines in order to attack Identity-Management-as-a-Service. During the session, according to  FIG. 2 , the attacker has to perform the following steps: 
         [0035]      28 : Get (steal) PIN and say it in response to Identity-Management-as-a-Service challenge (requires malware text-to-speech engine), 
         [0036]      32  Pre-determine authorization code and say it in response to challenge (requires malware text-to-speech engine), 
         [0037]      34 : Recognize confirmed authorization code (requires malware speech recognition engine), 
         [0038]      38 : Pre-determine variable response (one/yes or two/no) and say it in response to challenge (requires malware text-to-speech engine), 
         [0039]      40 : Recognize Pass-code as digits (requires malware speech recognition engine). In addition- malware will need to insert this Pass-code into a fraudulent transaction corresponding to pre-determined authorization code  32  above. This analysis clearly shows that in order to prevent malware attack Identity-Management-as-a-Service should preferably use Voice Biometrics in conjunction with Automatic Speech Recognition. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , that describes mixed Voice and DTMF phone call flow, of Step A in par. [0015]. According to this embodiment of present invention: User  20  enters PIN and Authorization Code using dial-pad and DTMF. 
         [0041]    Referring now to potential malware attacker of embodiment in  FIG. 3 : malicious software would need to possess at least key-logger/key-generator and speech recognition engines. This analysis again shows that, in order to prevent key-logger/key generator attack, Identity-Management-as-a-Service should preferably use Voice Biometrics in conjunction with DTMF Recognition. In this embodiment it may be further advantageous that user to be prompted to say random-digits combinations providing additional protection from record-and-playback attack. These random-digits combinations are to be used in Voice Biometrics Match, running on the Identity-Management-as-a-Service side. 
         [0042]    Authorization codes are to be determined by Relying-Party-Service-Providers, including Web applications Providers and Mobile applications Providers.  FIG. 4  is an example of different authorization codes. Although  FIG. 4  refers to 4-digit codes—any code length can be used. Further referring to  FIG. 4 —authorization codes for action  9  and  10  are preset to distinguish between opening new account and login into existing account. For example: for opening new account authorization code may be any random 4 digits number. For login into existing account authorization code may be account-specific authorization code. Authorization code for action “banking transfer”  11  may refer to last 4 digit of the destination account, i.e. the recipient of the money transfer. Authorization code for action “online store”  12  may refer to National ID number of the recipient of the transaction goods or services, Authorization code for action “card-less ATM Cash withdrawal”  13  may refer to CVV-card verification value, required for “card not present” transactions. If CVV includes 3 digits only—as used by VISA)—then authorization code may start from 0, for example 0354. Authorization code for action “point-of-sale”  14  may refer to transaction amount in 4-digit format, thus providing a way for non-repudiation of specific transaction by specific user. Authorization code for action “election”  15  may refer to one of the online voting choices. Authorization code for action “text message”  16  may refer to any digits present in the text message. Authorization code for action “mobile application”  17  may refer to number chosen by user during mobile application activation. From privacy perspective—authorization code also serves as electronic signature whereby the user is authorizing Identity-Management-as-a-Service to provide Relying-Party-Service-Provider with user&#39;s ID. 
         [0043]    To further demonstrate the embodiment of present invention we will show how to implement the Step B of par. [0016]. We are referring now to  FIG. 5 , regarding data flow example for money transfer authorization (action  11  of  FIG. 4 ): Following interaction with Identity-Management-as-a-Service, as described in  FIG. 2  or  FIG. 3 , the user submits to the bank the form  50 . 
         [0044]    To further demonstrate the embodiment of present invention we will show how to implement the Step C of par. [0017]. Referring again to  FIG. 5 —the bank contacts web address (for example sign.sentry-com.net), present in the form  50 , and posts Pass-code 87329887, also present in the form  50 . The post should also include the bank&#39;s identifiers vs. Identity-Management-as-a-Service. In another embodiment—contact web address does not need to be present in the form and needs to be preset, upfront, by the bank. The preferred communication protocol between Identity-Management-as-a-Service and Relying-Party-Service- Provider is oAuth (see reference 12.) The Identity-Management-as-a-Service returns form  52 —user&#39;s Identity Information and user-provided Authorization Code. The bank matches user&#39;s Identity Information and Authorization Code=2986 with last 4 digits of destination account 6543-2986. The bank approves the transfer. 
         [0045]    In yet another embodiment of present invention, referring again to  FIG. 2 , user authentication may be further enhanced, vs. described in par [0015]. For example: by combining Mobile Operator authentication data with Identity-Management-as-Service data. For example, at the same instance in time and the same Cell ID (mobile operator antenna location)—we may detect mobile phone SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) ID and Identity-Management-as-a-Service ID (described by  52  in  FIG. 5 ). In other Cell ID we may possibly detect SIM ID without Identity-Management-as-a-Service ID. Therefore we may conclude that the latter SIM is “cloned”. This is advantageous in preventing SIM “cloning”. So combining all factors we will get multi-factor identification: SIM, Caller ID , PIN and Voice Biometrics. This has an additional advantage of improved security. 
         [0046]    Referring again to Step A of par. [0015] and  FIG. 2 . If wrong PIN is entered for a number of times (say ˜5) in a row—the user&#39;s account may be disabled. This has an advantage of preventing PIN guessing by attacker, after stealing mobile phone, resulting in improved security. 
         [0047]    Referring again to Step A of par. [0015] and  FIG. 2 —the multi-digit Pass-Code may expire after preset time interval. For example it may expire after a number of minutes (say ˜5). This has an advantage of improved security. 
         [0048]    To initiate Identity-Management-as-a-Service the user must claim his ID. The user must register providing user&#39;s IDs, for example First Name, Last Name, Email and Company Name. On receipt of these data- Identity-Management-as-a-Service may generate multi-digit number, to be referred hereafter, as One Time ID. This number may include digits from 0 to 9, used each, at least once. Referring to  FIG. 6 : the user will dial in Identity-Management-as-a-Service, say Register and then say One Time ID  60  and then say additional prompted digits  66 . In alternative embodiment the user may skip saying Register, since the Identity-Management-as-a-Service may detect that specific mobile phone Caller ID is not registered yet. In another embodiment the user will not be prompted additional digits  66  in order to shorten the duration of registration session. In another embodiment Voice Biometrics enrollment may involve any spoken word or phrase. On registration completion—the user will receive Personal Identification Number or PIN, for example 4-digit long, to be used for authentication. The claimed user ID has to be validated by the Identity-Management as-a-Service. To this end—user may email picture of user&#39;s Photo ID (for example driver&#39;s license), using Email address provided at the registration or any other secure means. In yet another embodiment claimed user ID may be validated by the Relying- Party-Service-Provider, for example by the Bank validating ID&#39;s of its customers. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 7 : there are two consecutive options for Voice Biometrics authentication match:one using the match of spoken PIN digits  70  and spoken authorization code digits  70  with spoken One Time ID digits  72 . If the match fails -it may be followed by the random double-digit match  74 ,  76 . This has an advantage of reducing False Rejection Rate of Voice Biometrics. In yet another embodiment the user will not be prompted additional digits  74  in order to shorten the duration of authentication session and improve user convenience. 
         [0050]    The user may further perform self-serving administration functions vs. the Identity-Management-as-a-Service: 
         [0051]    The user may audit ID data 
         [0052]    The user may audit transaction/registration history 
         [0053]    The user may request to register on other mobile phone, 
         [0054]    The user may request to delete his/her mobile phone account, if it is lost or stolen. Furthermore, the Relying-Party-Service-Provider may audit transaction and access data vs. the Identity-Management-as-a-Service. 
         [0055]    As mentioned before, the possibility exists for user impersonation, via recording user speech responses during Identity-Management-as-a-Service session and playback these responses, using external, microphone-equipped, hardware device. It is therefore advantageous to include additional random challenge to the user. It is possible randomize the word used for confirmation  36  of  FIG. 2 . If authorization code is entered correctly, the user may be prompted, randomly, to say one the words from the group, including words confirm, approve, accept, agree, authorize or okay. If entered incorrectly - the user should say repeat. This has an advantage of precluding record and playback attack. 
         [0056]    Another possibility exists for user impersonation, via recording user speech responses during Identity-Management-as-a-Service session and replay these responses by malicious software, without external, microphone-equipped, hardware device. It is important to know, (see for example ref. 13), that during the phone session it is impossible to replay recorded audio. Only live audio through the mobile phone microphone is allowed. Therefore replay attack by malware is prevented by operating system. In addition Voice Biometrics engine may recognize these replay recordings as being nearly identical to one stored in Identity-Management-as-a-Service Memory. For example, current PIN voiceprint may be compared with previous PIN recordings. If voiceprint match is less than preset threshold, then recording should be reported and rejected. 
         [0057]    Refs  14  and  15  describes state-of-the-art Trojans capable of speech recognition and key-logging. It is clear to skillful in the art that present invention precludes, presently known malicious software, from tampering with secure transactions and access. 
         [0058]    It is well understood that malicious software may evolve in the future. It is therefore useful to examine potential future malware attack vectors against present invention: One may argue that the attacker may, in principle, attack the present invention using at least one of the following attack vectors:“steal user&#39;s voice” or “steal user&#39;s multi-digit pass-code” or “steal user&#39;s mobile phone”. 
         [0059]    Examining closely each attack vector: 
         [0060]    “Voice Stolen Attack”. This attack vector includes the following steps: 
         [0061]    Spoof Caller ID 
         [0062]    Record user&#39;s voice session and either
       Playback recording, or   Build user&#39;s voice model and use speech synthesis. In order to reject this attack—Voice Biometrics match has to include the ability to reject recorded and playback speech, for example as described in patents U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,825 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 8,442,824 B2. In both cases—playback of voice recording or playback of synthesized speech—attacker will need to use microphone from external hardware device in order to deliver speech to the mobile phone, thus modifying Voice Biometrics data. Therefore skillful in the art may detect and reject “Voice Stolen Attack”. This physical limitation cannot be overcome by attackers.       
 
         [0065]    “ Stolen multi-digit pass-code ” This attack vector includes the following steps: 
         [0066]    Eavesdrop to the Identity-Management-as-a-Service session, 
         [0067]    Intercept multi-digit pass-code, 
         [0068]    Block user&#39;s transaction vs. the Relying-Party-Service-Provider, 
         [0069]    Execute attacker&#39;s transaction vs. the Relying-Party-Service-Provider. The present invention protects transaction-connected data (the authorization code) from being modified by the attacker. Therefore the attack will be rejected, because user&#39;s transaction data, by definition, does not match attacker&#39;s transaction data. 
         [0070]    “Mobile Handset Stolen” 
         [0071]    Initiate the Identity-Management-as-a-Service session, 
         [0072]    Guess PIN, 
         [0073]    Use random-attacker Voice. In order to minimize the effect of such an attack—the user must report lost/stolen handset to the Identity-Management-as-a-Service. During the period between the mobile phone theft and reporting to the Identity-Management-as-a-Service provider—the probability of attack success equals the probability of guessed PIN times False Acceptance Rate of Voice Biometrics. For 4-digit PIN and typical Voice Biometrics False Acceptance Rate of 0.01, we may estimate that probability of this random attack success, as being negligible ˜1/1,000,000. 
         [0074]    Thus, we conclude that the present invention is resilient to fraudster attack, now and in the foreseen future. 
         [0075]      FIG. 8  is the diagram of the system, according to the present invention; comprising the user  80  interacting vocally  81  using user&#39;s mobile phone  82  over mobile network  83  with Identity-Management-as-Service  84 . The Service comprises the means of processing phone call data, performing user&#39;s authentication and communicating with Relying-Party-Service- Providers , as described for example in patent U.S. Pat. No. 7,689,832 B2. Following successful vocal interaction  81 —user  80  enters data  85  into insecure device  86  and sends this data over network  87  to Relying-Party-Service-Provider  88 . Relying-Party-Service-Provider sends query  90  including multi-digit pass-code to Identity-Management-as-a-Service Provider  84 , preferably over SSL connection. Identity Verification-as-a-Service Provider returns  91  user&#39;s ID and secured transaction data, spoken by the user  80 . 
         [0076]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed. 
       CITATION LIST 
       [0077]    Patent literature: 
         [0078]    (1) U.S. Pat. No. 8,205,247 B2 
         [0079]    (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/859,251 
         [0080]    (3) U.S. Pat. No. 8,028,896 B2 
         [0081]    (4) US 2012/0240203 A1 
         [0082]    (5) EP 2 065 798 A1 
         [0083]    (6) U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,196 
         [0084]    (7) U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,415 
         [0085]    (8) U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,825 B1 
         [0086]    (9) U.S. Pat. No. 8,442,824 B2 
         [0087]    (10) U.S. Pat. No. 7,689,832 B2 
         [0088]    Non-Patent Literature: 
         [0089]    (11) “Computer Technologists&#39; Statement on Internet Voting” on www.verifiedvoting.org 
         [0090]    (12) “Oauth” on www.wikipedia.org 
         [0091]    (13) “Media Playback” on www.developer.android.com/guide 
         [0092]    (14) “Soundcomber: A Stealthy and Context-Aware Sound Trojan for Smartphones”, by Kapadia et al, Indiana State University, on www.cs.indiana.edu 
         [0093]    (15) Soundcomber Demo on www.youtube.com