Patent Document

BACKGROUND  
       [0001]    Online transactions have become a significant portion of overall consumer and corporate financial transactions. Millions of transactions are performed each day for online banking, online shopping, online tax payments, commodity exchanges, etc., having significant monetary value. Projections are for the number of these transactions to not only increase but to increase at an increasing rate. This will be particularly true as the impact of the Internet moves beyond industrialized nations into developing and third world countries. 
         [0002]    A significant amount of time and energy has been invested in securing the channel between a consumer and an online provider. Protocols such as SSL2 help to ensure that end-to-end communication is protected from eavesdropping and tampering. However, little success has been realized in the area of endpoint authentication to help ensure that each party in a transaction is who they say they are. Public key infrastructure techniques requiring each party to have a certificate verified by a common certificate authority are cumbersome and either require a common security domain or complicated cross-domain certificates. 
         [0003]    In the absence of strong authentication, most online transactions, even those involving significant transfers of money or goods, are typically performed on the basis of a user identifier and password. Oftentimes, user identifiers are simply account numbers that may be copied from in-person transactions completed with checks or a credit card. Passwords are most often selected for the convenience of the user and are simple number combinations or dictionary words that are easily attacked by automated methods. The abundance and success of phishing attacks are testimony to the vulnerability of user identifier/password account access techniques. Once a user identifier and password are compromised, a hacker can impersonate a bona fide user virtually undetected. Further, accounts created with stolen user credentials, such as a Social Security number or a driver&#39;s license can create havoc in a person&#39;s life including stolen bank funds and a time consuming and costly task to repair his or her credit rating. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Endpoint identity can be positively confirmed to help secure transactions of any kind when a securely booted computer is cryptographically associated with a trusted secure service provider that can independently verify the identity of each party in a transaction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a simplified and representative block diagram a computer suitable for use with three party identification; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a security module found in the computer of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a simplified and representative block diagram of participants in a three party authentication scheme; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is flow chart depicting use of three party authentication. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this disclosure. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. 
         [0010]    It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . .” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, lit is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph. 
         [0011]    Much of the inventive functionality and many of the inventive principles are best implemented with or in software programs or instructions and integrated circuits (ICs) such as application specific ICs. It is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation. Therefore, in the interest of brevity and minimization of any risk of obscuring the principles and concepts in accordance to the present invention, further discussion of such software and ICs, if any, will be limited to the essentials with respect to the principles and concepts of the preferred embodiments. 
         [0012]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary system for implementing the claimed method and apparatus includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a computer  110 . Components shown in dashed outline are not technically part of the computer  110 , but are used to illustrate the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 . Components of computer  110  may include, but are not limited to, a processor  120 , a system memory  130 , a memory/graphics interface  121 , also known as a Northbridge chip, and an I/O interface  122 , also known as a Southbridge chip. A memory  130  and a graphics processor  190  may be coupled to the memory/graphics interface  121 . A monitor  191  or other graphic output device may be coupled to the graphics processor  190 . 
         [0013]    A series of system busses may couple various these system components including a high speed system bus  123  between the processor  120 , the memory/graphics interface  121  and the I/O interface  122 , a front-side bus  124  between the memory/graphics interface  121  and the system memory  130 , and an advanced graphics processing (AGP) bus  125  between the memory/graphics interface  121  and the graphics processor  190 . The system bus  121  may be any of several types of bus structures including, by way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus and Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus. As system architectures evolve, other bus architectures and chip sets may be used but often generally follow this pattern. For example, companies such as Intel and AMD support the Intel Hub Architecture (IHA) and the Hypertransport architecture, respectively. 
         [0014]    Computer  110  typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer  110  and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by computer  110 . Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media. 
         [0015]    The system memory  130  includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM)  131  and random access memory (RAM)  132 . The system ROM  131  may contain permanent system data  143 , such as identifying and manufacturing information. In some embodiments, a basic input/output system (BIOS) may also be stored in system ROM  131 . RAM  132  typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processor  120 . By way of example, and not limitation,  FIG. 1  illustrates operating system  134 , application programs  135 , other program modules  136 , and program data  137 . 
         [0016]    The I/O interface  122  may couple the system bus  123  with a number of other busses  126 ,  127  and  128  that couple a variety of internal and external devices to the computer  110 . A serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus  126  may connect to a basic input/output system (BIOS) memory  133  containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer  110 , such as during start-up. 
         [0017]    A security module  129  may also be coupled to the I/O controller  122  via the SPI bus  126 . In other embodiments, the security module  129  may be connected via any of the other busses available in the computer  110 . The security module  129  is discussed in more detail with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
         [0018]    A super input/output chip  160  may be used to connect to a number of ‘legacy’ peripherals, such as floppy disk  152 , keyboard/mouse  162 , and printer  196 , as examples. The super I/O chip  122  may be connected to the I/O interface  121  with a low pin count (LPC) bus, in some embodiments. The super I/O chip is widely available in the commercial marketplace. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, bus  128  may be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, or a variation thereof, may be used to connect higher speed peripherals to the I/O interface  122 . A PCI bus may also be known as a Mezzanine bus. Variations of the PCI bus include the Peripheral Component Interconnect-Express (PCI-E) and the Peripheral Component Interconnect—Extended (PCI-X) busses, the former having a serial interface and the latter being a backward compatible parallel interface. In other embodiments, bus  128  may be an advanced technology attachment (ATA) bus, in the form of a serial ATA bus (SATA) or parallel ATA (PATA). 
         [0020]    The computer  110  may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,  FIG. 1  illustrates a hard disk drive  140  that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media. Removable media, such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory  152  or CD/DVD drive  156  may be connected to the PCI bus  128  directly or through an interface  150 . Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. 
         [0021]    The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in  FIG. 1 , provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer  110 . In  FIG. 1 , for example, hard disk drive  140  is illustrated as storing operating system  144 , application programs  145 , other program modules  146 , and program data  147 . Note that these components can either be the same as or different from operating system  134 , application programs  135 , other program modules  136 , and program data  137 . Operating system  144 , application programs  145 , other program modules  146 , and program data  147  are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter commands and information into the computer  20  through input devices such as a mouse/keyboard  162  or other input device combination. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  120  through one of the I/O interface busses, such as the SPI  126 , the LPC  127 , or the PCI  128 , but other busses may be used. In some embodiments, other devices may be coupled to parallel ports, infrared interfaces, game ports, and the like (not depicted), via the super I/O chip  160 . 
         [0022]    The computer  110  may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer  180  via a network interface controller (NIC)  170 , The remote computer  180  may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer  110 . The logical connection depicted in  FIG. 1  may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or both, but may also include other networks. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the network interface may use a modem (not depicted) when a broadband connection is not available or is not used. It will be appreciated that the network connection shown is exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2 , a simplified and representative block diagram of a security module  200 , the same as or similar to the security module  129  of  FIG. 1 , is discussed and described. The security module  200  may include a processor  202 , a communication port  204 , a secure memory  210 , a cryptographic function  208  and a clock or timer  212 . The processor  202  may be a core processor implemented in a custom or so accustomed design, or may be part of a single-chip computer, or may be one component in a multi-chip module (MCM). Communication port  204  may support more than one communication protocol, for example, peripheral component interconnect (PCI/PCIe), low pin count (LPC), or an serial peripheral interconnect (SPI) protocol. In some embodiments, the security module  200  may support multiple communication protocols at once, allowing data traffic with components on more than one bus. 
         [0025]    The secure memory  210  may include key memory  418  storing a device master key, derived keys, and transitory session keys. The security module&#39;s ultimate master key may be a symmetric key shared with an associated master device, as is discussed in more detail with respect to  FIG. 3 . A basic input/put system (BIOS)  218  maybe stored in the secure memory  210  and used to boot the computer  110  when more security is required that when booting from an unprotected BIOS, such as BIOS  133  of  FIG. 1 . Program code  220  may include executable code for managing the operation of the security module  200 . Stored value  222  may be used for payment of on-line merchandise or services. In a metered use embodiment, the stored value  222  may represent minutes computer usage or be associated with subscription terms. A verification module  224  may be used in conjunction with the cryptographic module  208  to provide verification of responses from other entities to challenges issued by the security module  200 . A device identifier  226  may be securely stored in the memory  210  for use in proof of identity when communicating with an external device. 
         [0026]    The cryptographic function  208  may include a random number generator (RNG)  228  and encryption/decryption code  230 , for example, a block cipher function. In other embodiments, the cryptographic function  208  may be implemented via a smart chip with full cryptographic capability including public key algorithms, and may communicate with the processor  202  using an ISO 7816 interface. 
         [0027]    A clock or timer  212  may be provide tamper resistant time for use in both metering and cryptographic applications, including timeout periods for communications, time stamps for use in secure communications, or in generating a nonce used in message verification. In metered applications, the clock  212  may provide usage timing or subscription expiration periods. The elements of the security module  200  may be connected by an internal bus  214 , chosen from any of several known bus technologies, usually associated with the processor  202  type. 
         [0028]    In operation, the security module  200  has two significant effects on operation. The first is a provision for secure booting of the computer from a known, protected memory. A U.S. patent application with attorney docket number 30835/319474, filed on the same day as this application, describes an exemplary use of a security module to help ensure booting from a known BIOS. Alter booting from a known BIOS, other known measurements and operations can be taken to help ensure a qualified environment for computer operation. However, other methods of providing a qualified environment for computer operation are known, and others may be contemplated, that do not require booting from a BIOS stored in the security module  200 , nor does the three party authentication described herein rely on this capability. The second is a secure base from which to perform mutual authentication with e-commerce providers using, a mutually trusted resource. In the embodiments described here, the mutually trusted partner is the owner of the master key stored in the key area  216  of the secure memory  210 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing system elements for supporting three party authentication. A client device  302  may be connected to a server  304  via a local connection  306 , such as a cable or digital subscriber line modem, to a wide area network  308 , such as the Internet. The server  304  may be connected to a trust provider  310  via a secured, mutually authenticated connection  312 . 
         [0030]    The client device  302  may be similar to the computer  110  of  FIG. 1 , including the presence of a security module  314 , similar to that described with respect to  FIG. 2 . The client device  302  may be a personal computer or laptop computer, but in other embodiments may be any electronic device capable of supporting a network connection to a service provider, represented by server  304 . The electronic device may be a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a smart phone, etc. In most cases, the client device  302  may have a text or graphical user interface for real time interaction with the server  304 , but some applications, such as an auction, may not require user intervention to perform meaningful activities on behalf of the user. 
         [0031]    The server  304  may be any single computer or group of computers working in concert to support individual transactions requested or authorized via the client device. The server  304  may support sales transactions, such as those offered by an on-line merchant, may support entertainment, such as sporting events, or may support services, such as insurance or banking, to name a few possible applications. Other applications benefiting from strong authentication are arising every day as more people perfonm traditionally ‘brick and mortar’ tasks over via electronic connections, especially the Internet. 
         [0032]    The trust provider  310  is an entity that is trusted by both the client device  302  and the server  304 , although it is expressed in differing manners. Unlike a certificate authority (CA), the trust provider does not use public key cryptography to create client or server certificates that are later used by the individual parties to confirm identity. Establishing trust using a public key infrastructure (PKI) assumes the CA root key has not been compromised and that each party has a valid user or server certificate from the same CA, and that both parties certificates are not expired, or their private keys compromised. Because of the cost and general unwieldiness of PKI, the vast majority of the e-commerce transactions taking place over the Internet today are authenticated only with a user ID and password. 
         [0033]    The trust provider  310  can be used to provide transitory trust between parties without formal mutual authentication between the client device  302  and the server  304 . This is possible because of a special relationship between the client device  302  and the trust provider  310  afforded by the security module  314 . The client device  302  may be cryptographically bound to the trust provider  310  by way of a shared secret stored at the trust provider  310  and the in security module  314 . In one embodiment, the security module  314  is used to provide pay-per-use metering and one function of the security module  314  is to request, authenticate, and store value associated with such metered use. Part of the business model for metered use requires such cryptographic binding to protect an underwriter with a financial interest in client device  302 . Should another party be able to provide usage value, the underwriter could be cut out of an expected revenue stream associated with on-going use of the client device. 
         [0034]    Whether due to such a metered use business model or not, the security module  314  has a key or key set that may be used to authenticate itself to the trust provider  310 . Cryptographically sound initialization and personalization steps should be followed for installation of the keys and identifiers ( 216  and  226  respectively from  FIG. 2 ), in the security module  314 . 
         [0035]    Separately, a user may establish a relationship with an on-line provider, represented by server  304 . The provider may establish an account on behalf of the user and give the user a standard log-in and password. When the server  304  represents a personal account, such as a bank account, the establishment of such an account may be mandatory. As will be shown below, the establishment of an account is not necessary for the use of the three party identification for some other transaction types. 
         [0036]    When a provider, represented by server  304 , wishes to avail itself of client device authentication, the server  304  may establish a relationship with the trust provider  310 . Because the number of potential servers is a small fraction of the number of potential client devices, strong authentication between the server  304  and the trust provider  310  may be established, including, but not limited to, shared secrets, server certificates, or a virtual private network (VPN) over the connection  312 . With these conditions in place, that is, shared secrets between the client device  302  and the trust provider  310 , a trusted, mutually authenticated link between the server  304  and the trust provider  310 , and an optional relationship between the client device&#39;s user and the server  304 , the method described in  FIG. 4  may be used to provide three party authentication. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4 , a method of providing three party authentication, is discussed and described. As mentioned above, a user of a client device  302  may pre-register with a provider (not depicted) and be given an login ID and password for use in connecting a server  304  associated with the provider. At block  402 , the client device  302  may connect with the server  304 , preferably over an SSL/SSL2 encrypted channel. After the connection is established, the login ID and password may be used to identify particular account to use for the current transaction. When pre-registration has occurred, the server  304  may have pre-knowledge that the client device  302  has the facilities to support a mutual authentication using a trust provider  310 . If no pre-registration has occurred, for example, if the trust provider  310  is expected to provide an identification of the client device  302 , the server  304  may query the client device  302  to determine if mutual authentication via the trust provider  310  is supported. 
         [0038]    At block  404 , after the server  304  has determined that mutual authentication via the trust provider  310  is supported, the server  304  may request a challenge from the client device  302 . At block  406 , the client device  302  may generate a challenge, or token, using a nonce, such as a random number generated in the security module  314  and a device identifier. The challenge may further include a sequence number, a time stamp, or both to prevent a replay of the current session. The challenge may be encrypted using a secret cryptographic key shared between the client device  302  in the trust provider  310 . In many embodiments, a session key may be derived for use in encrypting the challenge to help protect the actual stored key. At block  408 , the client device  302  may send the challenge to the server  304 . 
         [0039]    At block  410 , the server  304  may send the challenge to the trust provider  310  over a previously established, trusted link  312 , such as a virtual private network. It is assumed that the trusted link  312  involves a high degree of security that may include an out-of-band exchange of secrets or authentication tokens. At block  412 , the trust provider  310 , using keys shared with the client device  302  may decrypt the challenge received from the server  304  to determine the authenticity of the challenge. Should the decrypting process fail in a client device failed to prove its identity to the trust provider  310 , the no branch from bloc  412  may be taken to block  414 . A message may be sent to the server  304  that the authentication has failed, at which point, the server may close the session with the client device  302 . 
         [0040]    When the client device  302  has proven its identity to the trust provider  310 , the yes branch from block  412  may be taken to block  416 . At block  416 , the trust provider  310  may generate a two-part response to the challenge. A first part of the response designated for the server  304 , may include a message that the identity of the client device  302  has been verified. To the extent that the identity of the client device  302  is not a secret, the first part of the response may also include the identity of the client device  302 . A second part of the response designated for the client device  302 , may include the nonce and, in some embodiments, the sequence number. In other embodiments, the second part of the response may also include an identity of the server  304 , so the client device  302  can match who the server  304  claims to be with who the trust provider claims the server  304  to be. The second part of the response may be encrypted using the session key but encryption of the second part of the response is not strictly necessary. The response, including both parts, may be sent from the trust provider  310  to the server  304 . 
         [0041]    At block  418 , the server  304  may verify the first part of the response that validates the client device  310 . The server  304  may then trust the identity of the client device  302  because of its trust of the trust provider  310  and the quality of the trusted link  312 . The server  304  may then forward the response to the client device  302 . The server  304  may forward only the second part of the response, since the first part does not pertain to the client device  302 . 
         [0042]    At block  420 , the client device  302  may verify the second part of the response by decrypting, if necessary, and comparing the nonce received with the nonce generated as well as other pertinent information such as verification of the sequence number, when sent. Because the client device  302  has confidence that the challenge was processed by the trust provider  310 , and that the trust provider  310  would not process the challenge unless received from a bona fide server, and because the response was received from the server  304 , therefore the server  304  can be trusted. 
         [0043]    At block  422 , because both the server  304  and the client device  302  have received assurances from the trust provider  310  that each other are legitimate, the two may continue their session to completion 
         [0044]    Because the mutual authentication process reduces risk for both the server  304  in the client device  302 , the trust provider  310  may receive compensation for supporting the transaction. In one embodiment, value  222  stored in the secure memory  210  of the security module  200 / 314  maybe used to compensate the trust provider  310 . Contractual terms between the provider of the server  304  in the trust provider  310  may specify how payment is made by the server  304  for the authentication service, but may include per transaction fees or a percentage of the value transacted. 
         [0045]    The methods and apparatus described above for mutual authentication of two parties by a third trusted party benefits both the user of the client device  302  in the provider of the server  304  by allowing mutual authentication virtually in real time between parties to a transaction. Further, because the client device trust base starts in the security module, the client device does not depend on external devices, such as a smart card or software means, for verification that are susceptible to attack or spoofing. The use of the trust provider for mutual authentication is not subject to the issues of expiration and dependence on potentially out of date certificate revocation lists inherent in public key infrastructure. Further, the use of trust provider allows pay-as-you go payment, rather than the advanced purchase of costly and time-limited PKI certificates. 
         [0046]    Mutual authentication in this manner does not require the client device and server to be in the same security domain, that is, no cryptographic secrets need to be shared between the two, nor does the trust provider require any knowledge of the nature of the transaction or any account information shared between the client device and the server. 
         [0047]    Although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possibly embodiment of the invention because describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention. 
         [0048]    Thus, many modifications and variations may be made in the techniques and structures described and illustrated herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the methods and apparatus described herein are illustrative only and are not limiting upon the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 5