Patent ID: 8335798

Claim:
A computer-implemented system for utilizing a social network comprising: one or more processors; one or more computer readable storage mediums maintaining computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, perform acts comprising: receiving a plurality of buddy lists and personal information corresponding to a social network; generating a plurality of directed subgraphs based on the buddy lists and the personal information, the directed subgraphs being subsets of a directed graph that functionally represents relationships between individuals and/or entities within the social network; and encrypting the plurality of directed subgraphs to protect personal information returned as part of a search over the social network, wherein the encrypting encrypts a first portion of the directed graph and the encrypting further includes encrypting a second portion of the directed graph using a different encryption to provide layered encryption, the second portion comprising at least: a part of the encrypted first portion of the graph; and a part of the directed graph not included in the encrypted first portion.