Patent ID: 8667603

Claim:
A method for searching secure electronic messages, comprising: receiving an input search at a mobile device; wherein the input search is used to search a secure message aspect; searching through content of electronic messages using the input search, the electronic messages stored at the mobile device; wherein the searching includes searching through content of a secure electronic message using the input search; wherein the secure electronic message is a message encrypted using a public key; wherein an authorization is obtained to access a private key corresponding to the public key for a period of time, and wherein the private key is stored in a key data store at the mobile device, the stored private key associated with the corresponding public key in the key data store, wherein obtaining the authorization comprises: providing only once a user prompt for a password that is associated with the key data store; and using the password provided through the user prompt to access the private key from the key data store; wherein the private key is retrieved from the key data store when authorization is obtained, and the private key is used to decrypt the secure electronic message and at least one other secure electronic message at the mobile device without further user prompt, the secure electronic message and the at least one other secure electronic message encrypted using the public key prior to the searching through the content of the secure electronic message and of the at least one other secure electronic message; and providing a result based upon the searching of the electronic messages; wherein the input search is received from a user recipient of the electronic messages or from a computer application utilizing an application programming interface to provide the input search.