Abstract: Storing and accessing information in a distributed data storage system includes: using erasure code, encoding a data block of the information to generate an encoded data block comprising both parity data and the data block, wherein by using the erasure code the data block may be reconstituted from a subset of the encoded data block, the subset comprising less than all of the data block; distributing, for storage, portions of the subset across a plurality of network storage locations such that the subset is not stored in its entirety at any one of the plurality of network storage locations; retrieving the distributed portions from the plurality of network storage locations; reconstituting the subset from the distributed portions that are retrieved; and using the erasure code, reconstituting the data block from the reconstituted subset of the encoded data block.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a covert message over a network from an origin device to a destination device includes using selection a plurality of network paths, network channels, and network tunnels to signal to the destination device symbols. Sequences of the symbols are interpreted by the destination device as values in an n-base number system. The values are decoded by the destination device to obtain the covert message. Some preferred implementations use a binary number system and some use a hexadecimal number system. Some utilize network path selection and incorporate network watermarks, by which the network path that was selected for each received packet is determined. Network paths preferably are differentiated from one another by redirects that are storage servers in an overlay network. Network communications can be opened between the origin device and destination device for continuously communicating packets without signaling symbols when no covert message is being transmitted.

Abstract: A network communications method utilizing a network watermark for providing security in the communications includes creating a verifiable network communications path of nodes through a network for the transfer of information from a first end node to a second end node; verifying the network communications path of nodes, by the first end node, before communicating by the first end node information intended for receipt by the second end node; and once the network communications path of nodes is verified by the first end node, communicating by the first end node, via the verified communications path of nodes, the information intended for receipt by the second end node; wherein the network watermark represents the verifiable network communications path of nodes.

Abstract: A network communications method utilizing a network watermark for providing security in the communications includes creating a verifiable network communications path of nodes through a network for the transfer of information from a first end node to a second end node; verifying the network communications path of nodes, by the first end node, before communicating by the first end node information intended for receipt by the second end node; and once the network communications path of nodes is verified by the first end node, communicating by the first end node, via the verified communications path of nodes, the information intended for receipt by the second end node; wherein the network watermark represents the verifiable network communications path of nodes.

Abstract: A network communications method utilizing a network watermark for providing security in the communications includes creating a verifiable network communications path of nodes through a network for the transfer of information from a first end node to a second end node; verifying the network communications path of nodes, by the first end node, before communicating by the first end node information intended for receipt by the second end node; and once the network communications path of nodes is verified by the first end node, communicating by the first end node, via the verified communications path of nodes, the information intended for receipt by the second end node; wherein the network watermark represents the verifiable network communications path of nodes.

Abstract: A method of monitoring symptoms of a person includes repeating, over a period of time, the steps of: selecting, by the person, one or more symbolic representations corresponding to one or more symptoms from a predefined set of symbolic representations presented to the person; and electronically recording data regarding the one or more symbolic representations selected by the person such that the data is electronically accessible later for generating a history of the symptoms of the person over the period of time. The data is transferred over virtual networks using virtual dispersive routing and stored in dispersive storage area networks (SANs). The data is classified as trusted, corrupted, invalid or uncertain, and/or as trusted, ambiguous and inadequate.

Abstract: An electronic device configured for electronic communications utilizing virtual dispersive networking includes: a network interface for communicating over a network; an application loaded onto the electronic device programmed to communicate over a network; and virtual dispersive networking software configured to create, for such application, a virtual machine comprising a virtual interface for the network interface of the electronic device; select a network protocol out of a plurality of available network protocols based on current communication requirements of the application; and cause network communications of the application to occur via the virtual network interface of the electronic device using the determined network protocol.

Abstract: A method for network communications from a first device to a second device includes communicating data from the first device to the second device by spawning a first virtual machine for a first network connection that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic device, and using the virtualized network capabilities of the first virtual machine, transmitting a plurality of packets for communication to a first network address and port combination associated with the second device. The method further includes repeatedly changing to a respective another network address and port combination by repeatedly spawning a respective another virtual machine for a respective another network connection that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic device, and using the virtualized network capabilities of the spawned respective another virtual machine, transmitting a plurality of packets for communication to the respective another network address and port combination associated with the second device.

Abstract: A method for network communications from a first device to a second device includes communicating data from the first device to the second device by spawning a first virtual machine for a first network connection that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic device, and using the virtualized network capabilities of the first virtual machine, transmitting a plurality of packets for communication to a first network address and port combination associated with the second device. The method further includes repeatedly changing to a respective another network address and port combination by repeatedly spawning a respective another virtual machine for a respective another network connection that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic device, and using the virtualized network capabilities of the spawned respective another virtual machine, transmitting a plurality of packets for communication to the respective another network address and port combination associated with the second device.

Abstract: In a wireless network that includes a plurality of nodes, a method of maintaining, by a first node, information regarding communications links between nodes in the wireless network includes: for each communications link that is established with another node, recording an identification of the other node; and for each message received by the first node from the other node through the communications link with the other node, recording a network pathway by which the message has been sent in the wireless network, the network pathway identifying the nodes and the communications links therebetween by which the message has been sent. Another method includes recording, by a server, for each message that is received by the server from the wireless network, a network pathway by which the message has been sent, the network pathway identifying the nodes and the communications links therebetween by which the message has been sent.

Abstract: A method of monitoring symptoms of a person includes repeating, over a period of time, the steps of: selecting, by the person, one or more symbolic representations corresponding to one or more symptoms from a predefined set of symbolic representations presented to the person; and electronically recording data regarding the one or more symbolic representations selected by the person such that the data is electronically accessible later for generating a history of the symptoms of the person over the period of time. The data is transferred over virtual networks using virtual dispersive routing and stored in dispersive storage area networks (SANs). The data is classified as trusted, corrupted, invalid or uncertain, and/or as trusted, ambiguous and inadequate.

Abstract: A method for network communications from a first device to a second device includes communicating data from the first device to the second device by spawning a first virtual machine for a first network connection that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic device, and using the virtualized network capabilities of the first virtual machine, transmitting a plurality of packets for communication to a first network address and port combination associated with the second device. The method further includes repeatedly changing to a respective another network address and port combination by repeatedly spawning a respective another virtual machine for a respective another network connection that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic device, and using the virtualized network capabilities of the spawned respective another virtual machine, transmitting a plurality of packets for communication to the respective another network address and port combination associated with the second device.

Abstract: A method of communicating data using virtualization includes splitting, at endpoint software running on a first device, first data for communication to a destination device into a first plurality of data streams; selecting, at the first device by the endpoint software, a first plurality of deflects for use in communicating the first plurality of data streams; communicating each of the first plurality of data streams over a different one of the selected first plurality of deflects; splitting, at the first deflect, a particular data stream of the first plurality of data streams into a second plurality of data streams; selecting, at the first deflect, a second plurality of deflects for use in communicating the second plurality of data streams; and communicating each of the second plurality of data streams over a different one of the selected second plurality of deflects.

Abstract: A method of communicating data using virtualization includes splitting, at endpoint software running on a first device, first data for communication to a destination device into a first plurality of data streams; selecting, at the first device by the endpoint software, a first plurality of deflects for use in communicating the first plurality of data streams; communicating each of the first plurality of data streams over a different one of the selected first plurality of deflects; splitting, at the first deflect, a particular data stream of the first plurality of data streams into a second plurality of data streams; selecting, at the first deflect, a second plurality of deflects for use in communicating the second plurality of data streams; and communicating each of the second plurality of data streams over a different one of the selected second plurality of deflects.

Abstract: A method for network communications from a first device to a second device includes communicating data from the first device to the second device by spawning a first virtual machine for a first network connection that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic device, and using the virtualized network capabilities of the first virtual machine, transmitting a plurality of packets for communication to a first network address and port combination associated with the second device. The method further includes repeatedly changing to a respective another network address and port combination by repeatedly spawning a respective another virtual machine for a respective another network connection that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic device, and using the virtualized network capabilities of the spawned respective another virtual machine, transmitting a plurality of packets for communication to the respective another network address and port combination associated with the second device.

Abstract: A method for network communications from a first device to a second device includes communicating data from the first device to the second device by spawning a first virtual machine for a first network connection that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic device, and using the virtualized network capabilities of the first virtual machine, transmitting a plurality of packets for communication to a first network address and port combination associated with the second device. The method further includes repeatedly changing to a respective another network address and port combination by repeatedly spawning a respective another virtual machine for a respective another network connection that virtualizes network capabilities of the electronic device, and using the virtualized network capabilities of the spawned respective another virtual machine, transmitting a plurality of packets for communication to the respective another network address and port combination associated with the second device.

Abstract: An electronic device configured for electronic communications utilizing virtual dispersive networking includes: a network interface for communicating over a network; an application loaded onto the electronic device programmed to communicate over a network; and virtual dispersive networking software configured to create, for such application, a virtual machine comprising a virtual interface for the network interface of the electronic device; select a network protocol out of a plurality of available network protocols based on current communication requirements of the application; and cause network communications of the application to occur via the virtual network interface of the electronic device using the determined network protocol.

Abstract: A method of providing network communications includes spawning a virtual machine that virtualizes network capabilities of the device such that a virtual network connection is provided; using the virtual network connection, transmitting a packet to a first node using a first routing protocol for communication to a destination device; setting a timer, the timer having a value corresponding to an amount of time greater than an average response time of the destination device; and, upon expiration of the timer, transmitting the packet to a second node using a second routing protocol for communication to the destination device.

Abstract: A method of communicating data using virtualization includes splitting, at endpoint software running on a first device, first data for communication to a destination device into a first plurality of data streams; selecting, at the first device by the endpoint software, a first plurality of deflects for use in communicating the first plurality of data streams; communicating each of the first plurality of data streams over a different one of the selected first plurality of deflects; splitting, at the first deflect, a particular data stream of the first plurality of data streams into a second plurality of data streams; selecting, at the first deflect, a second plurality of deflects for use in communicating the second plurality of data streams; and communicating each of the second plurality of data streams over a different one of the selected second plurality of deflects.

Abstract: In a wireless network that includes a plurality of nodes, a method of maintaining, by a first node, information regarding communications links between nodes in the wireless network includes: for each communications link that is established with another node, recording an identification of the other node; and for each message received by the first node from the other node through the communications link with the other node, recording a network pathway by which the message has been sent in the wireless network, the network pathway identifying the nodes and the communications links therebetween by which the message has been sent. Another method includes recording, by a server, for each message that is received by the server from the wireless network, a network pathway by which the message has been sent, the network pathway identifying the nodes and the communications links therebetween by which the message has been sent.