Patent ID: 7475137

Claim:
A method of providing network security for a portable computerized device in temporary data communication with at least one network, comprising: placing a first network security apparatus at least partly within a communications stack of said portable computerized device, said first network security apparatus communicating with other like apparatus on said network by establishing an association, and wherein said first network security apparatus further performs a plurality of security functions comprising: receiving a message sent from said computerized device; converting said received message to a format utilized by said network; determining whether said association exists with another network security apparatus; and transmitting said message received from said computerized device to at least one other like apparatus when said association exists; wherein said plurality of security functions further comprises: providing confidentiality for at least a portion of said message; providing integrity protection for at least a portion of said message; and authenticating at least one other like network security apparatus; and wherein said first network security apparatus further comprises a card-like structure adapted to be received within a slot of said portable computerized device, said card-like structure comprising apparatus to generate elements for use in said integrity protection.