Abstract: There may be provided a computer-implemented method. It may be implemented at least in part using a blockchain network such as, for example, the Bitcoin network.

Abstract: The invention relates to blockchain technologies such as the Bitcoin blockchain, and the tokenisation of assets or entities. It is particularly suited for implementing a payroll on a blockchain platform and comprises a method (100) and system (1) of transferring cryptocurrency from a first node (3) to a second node (7). Both nodes (3, 7) are associated with a payroll and have a respective asymmetric cryptography pair, each pair including a master private key and a master public key. Respective additional private and public keys may be determined based on the master private key, master public key and a generator value at each node. The additional private and public keys may form a hierarchical structure. A common secret may be determined at each of the nodes (3, 7) based on the additional private and public keys. The common secret may be used to securely transmit confidential information across a communications network (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to the fields of tokenisation, blockchain and smart contract technologies. It provides a technical arrangement which simplifies the automated management of contracts. The invention comprises a method and system which use a computer-based repository for storage of the contract. The contract is then represented by a transaction on the blockchain. Metadata within the transaction's script includes a hash of the contract and a means of identifying its location within the repository. The transaction also includes an unspent output (UTXO) which indicates its status as an open (ie not terminated) contract. The contract is terminated by spending the output at a later point in time, for example, using n Lock Time+Check Lock Time Verify (CLTV). By combining this concept with other techniques and computing components, the invention can provide a powerful mechanism for implementing various tasks such as renewing or rolling over the contract, or dividing it into sub-contracts or conditions.

Abstract: A method of communicating a secret (k0, k1) on the Bitcoin blockchain is disclosed. The method comprises sending information identifying secrets selectable by the recipient and receiving a first public key (Ui) of an elliptic curve cryptography system, corresponding to a first secret (Si) selected for access by the recipient and for which a first private key (m) is accessible to the recipient. A second public key (U1-i) is received, corresponding to a second secret not selected for access by the recipient, wherein a corresponding second private key is not available to the recipient. First and second secrets encrypted by means of the respective first and second public keys (X0, X1) are sent to the recipient, wherein the first secret is accessible to the recipient by means of the first private key, the second secret is inaccessible to the recipient, and the sender is unable to distinguish between the first and second secrets.

Abstract: A computer-implemented access method is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) submitting, to a blockchain (such as the Bitcoin blockchain), an access blockchain transaction addressed to a derived public key derived at least in part from a secret value and a public key; (ii) generating a verification public key based at least in part on the secret value and the public key; (iii) comparing the derived public key and the verification public key; and (iv) based on the comparison of step (iii): (a) allocating the at least one of the derived and verification public key as a further public key for verifying a further derived public key; and (b) granting access to a resource associated with at least one of the secret value and the derived public key.

Abstract: A computer implemented voting process (2) for executing a blockchain transaction, such as a transaction on the Bitcoin blockchain, is disclosed. The process comprises distributing shares (6) of a first common secret among a plurality of participants (4), wherein the first common secret implements an automated voting process (14) by the participants and is accessible to a first threshold number of shares and is inaccessible to less than the first threshold number of shares. The process further comprises determining (10, 12), based on different numbers of said shares of the first common secret held by a plurality of the participants, at least one combination of shares held by a plurality of the participants, to provide the first threshold number of shares.

Abstract: A plurality of nodes implemented by computing devices in a network include sender and recipient nodes. The sender node sends, to the validation node, a request to transfer an amount of virtual currency from a sender account (associated with transaction receipts) to a recipient account. The request includes first copies of the receipts or references thereto. The validation node requests second copies of the receipts from at least two of the nodes, and receives the second copies from fewer than all of the nodes. The validation node determines whether the first copies have been tampered with by comparing the first and second copies to one another. When tampering has not occurred, at least one new receipt is generated indicating the amount has been transferred. Then, the at least one new receipt is forwarded to fewer than all of the nodes for storage.

Abstract: The invention provides mechanisms for enhancing the security and protection of a computer-based system or network. It relates, in part, to the use of a decoy (which may be termed “honeypot” or “honeynet”) for collecting attacker-related data, and/or diverting malicious behaviour away from legitimate resources. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising the steps of receiving, processing and logging network traffic data of a plurality of users, where the network traffic is received from a plurality of participating users; determining an attacker profile from the network traffic data; determining a honeypot or honeynet configuration based on the attacker profile; and upon receipt of a valid information request from a user of the plurality of users, providing the determined attacker profile and configuration to the user.

Abstract: A method (400) of encrypting data at an electronic device (3) where the electronic device is associated with a key device (5). Each device is associated with an asymmetric cryptography pair, each pair including a first private key and a first public key. Respective second private and public keys may be determined based on the first private key, first public key and a deterministic key. A secret may be determined based on the second private and public keys. The data at the electronic device (3) may be encrypted using the determined secret or an encryption key that is based on the secret. Information indicative of the deterministic key may be sent to the key device (5) where the information may be stored.

Abstract: A solution for controlling access to a resource such as a digital wallet implemented using a blockchain. Use of the invention during set up of the wallet can enable subsequent operations to be handled in a secure manner over an insecure channel. An example method comprises splitting a verification element into multiple shares; determining a common secret at multiple nodes in a network; and using the common secret to transmit a share of the verification element between nodes. The shares can be split such that no share is sufficient to determine the verification element and can be stored at separate locations. Upon share unavailability, the share can be retrieved a location accessibility. For safe transmission of the share(s), the common secret is generated at two different nodes independently and used to generate an encryption key for encrypting at least one share of the verification element to be transmitted securely.

Abstract: A method (300) and system (1) of determining a common secret for two nodes (3, 7). Each node (3, 7) has a respective asymmetric cryptography pair, each pair including a master private key and a master public key. Respective second private and public keys may be determined based on the master private key, master public key and a deterministic key. A common secret may be determined at each of the nodes based on the second private and public keys. In one example, a node (3, 7) may determine the common secret based on (i) a second private key based on the node's own master private key and the deterministic key; and (ii) a second public key based on the other node's master public key and the deterministic key. The invention may be suited for use with, but not limited to, digital wallets, blockchain (e.g. Bitcoin) technologies and personal device security.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method (900) and system (1) for verifying the integrity of a computer software for installation using a distributed hash table (13) and a peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). This may be the Bitcoin blockchain or an alternative implementation. The method includes determining (910) a metadata associated with a transaction record stored on the peer-to-peer distributed ledger (14). An indication of an entry stored on the distributed hash table (13) may be determined (920) from the metadata. The method further includes determining (930) a third hash value based on the computer software and determining (940) a fourth hash value from the entry on the distributed hash table (13). The method further includes comparing (950) the third hash value and the fourth hash value and verifying (960) the integrity of the computer software based on the comparing of the third hash value and the fourth hash value.

Abstract: The invention relates to blockchain technologies such as the Bitcoin ledger, and for the control and performance of secure, efficient exchanges conducted via the blockchain. It comprises tokenisation techniques and methods for embedding metadata in a blockchain transaction.

Abstract: The invention provides a secure method for exchanging entities via a blockchain. The invention incorporates tokenisation techniques, and also techniques for embedding metadata in a redeem script of a blockchain transaction.

Abstract: A system including a network connected to at least one mint computing device implementing a virtual currency mint. The network has a ring topology and includes computing devices that implement a plurality of nodes. The mint issues units of virtual currency to user accounts implemented by the nodes. Each of at least a portion of the nodes is configured to initiate (as a sender node) a transaction with a recipient node that transfers at least one unit of the virtual currency from a sender one of the user accounts to a recipient one of the user accounts. The recipient node validates the transaction, creates a receipt, performs an operation on the receipt to identify a storage node, and routes the receipt to the storage node. The storage node stores the receipt, identifies next storage nodes, and routes copies of the receipt to the next storage nodes for storage thereby.

Abstract: A system including a network connected to at least one mint computing device implementing a virtual currency mint. The network has a ring topology and includes computing devices that implement a plurality of nodes. The mint issues units of virtual currency to user accounts implemented by the nodes. Each of at least a portion of the nodes is configured to initiate (as a sender node) a transaction with a recipient node that transfers at least one unit of the virtual currency from a sender one of the user accounts to a recipient one of the user accounts. The recipient node validates the transaction, creates a receipt, performs an operation on the receipt to identify a storage node, and routes the receipt to the storage node. The storage node stores the receipt, identifies next storage nodes, and routes copies of the receipt to the next storage nodes for storage thereby.