Patent ID: 7500272

Claim:
A method of providing devices that generate digital signatures such that each device may be reliably and uniquely identified by a third party that receives an electronic message generated by a device and utilizes the electronic message for a message authentication, comprising the steps of: a. manufacturing in a secure environment a device that generates a digital signature utilizing a private key of a public-private key pair; b. creating a public-private key pair in the device while the device is still within the secure environment, the private key for utilization in generating a digital signature for an electronic message, the public key exportable for use by third parties in connection with authenticating the electronic message; c. storing the private key within the device utilizing security features to safeguard the private key against divulgement thereof by the device; d. securely linking the public key with other information, the other information including the security features, by storing the public key and the other information in a database within the secure environment; and e. releasing the device from the secure environment for use in connection with generating a digitally signed electronic message that is provided by a user of the device to a third party; whereby the other information and security features securely linked with the public key and stored in the database within the secure environment are used by the third party to authenticate the electronic message received by the third party.