Patent ID: 6940980

Claim:
A network device representing a user having a predefined associated password, a predefined associated symmetric crypto-key and a predefined associated asymmetric crypto-key, including a first private key portion, a second private key portion and a public key portion, comprising: a memory configured to store a function; an input device configured to input the user password; and a processor configured (i) to process the input password in accordance with the stored function to generate the associated first private key portion and to at least one of encrypt, decrypt and sign a message with the generated first private key portion, in a first mode of operation, and (ii) to process the input password in accordance with the stored function to generate the associated symmetric crypto-key and to at least one of encrypt, decrypt and authenticate a message with the generated symmetric crypto-key in a second mode of operation; wherein the predefined associated asymmetric crypto-key, is associated with a public cryptosystem; and wherein the processor is further configured to operate in accordance with the first mode of operation unless notified that the public cryptosystem has been compromised, and to operate in accordance with the second mode of operation based on notification that the public cryptosystem has been compromised.