Abstract: An access-control device that controls access to encrypted messages. During operation, the access-control device can receive an access key for a corrupted message, and can receive a cover message digest associated with the corrupted message. The access-control device stores the access key in association with the cover message digest, and stores the cover message digest in a block chain. A respective block of the block chain includes at least one cover message digest, and a hash value of a previous block of the block chain.

Abstract: An access-control device that controls access to encrypted messages. During operation, the access-control device can receive an access key for a corrupted message, and can receive a cover message digest associated with the corrupted message. The access-control device stores the access key in association with the cover message digest, and stores the cover message digest in a block chain. A respective block of the block chain includes at least one cover message digest, and a hash value of a previous block of the block chain.

Abstract: An apparatus for easy switching between wired and wireless modes of a headset with convenient charging. The apparatus may include a headset configured with a port that allows for electrically and communicatively connecting to a mobile device via a wire plugged into the port. A processor configured within the headset of the apparatus may receive a signal indicating the headset being connected to the mobile device through the wire. In response to receiving the signal indicating the wire connection, the apparatus may turn off a Bluetooth signal transmitted by the apparatus. The apparatus also charge a battery in the apparatus using power received through an electrical connection of the wire, and establish audio communication with the mobile device through a communication connection of the wire. Embodiments also include a wire with swappable portions to facilitate the transfer of power and data.

Abstract: An access-control device that controls access to encrypted messages. During operation, the access-control device can receive an access key for a corrupted message, and can receive a cover message digest associated with the corrupted message. The access-control device stores the access key in association with the cover message digest, and stores the cover message digest in a block chain. A respective block of the block chain includes at least one cover message digest, and a hash value of a previous block of the block chain.

Abstract: A messaging and content sharing platform that allows for sender-controlled permissions and rules. During operation, a sending device can receive user input to set permissions and rules for an object to be sent to a receiving device. The permissions and rules control how the object will be managed after leaving the sending device. A receiving device receives the object and complies with the permissions and rules associated with the object. Other features of the platform include a hierarchical view for group messaging, an attachment-only view of messages, large file attachments, and the ability to allow users to access external services such as social networking websites without logging in.

Abstract: An access-control device that controls access to encrypted messages. During operation, the access-control device can receive an access key for a corrupted message, and can receive a cover message digest associated with the corrupted message. The access-control device stores the access key in association with the cover message digest, and stores the cover message digest in a block chain. A respective block of the block chain includes at least one cover message digest, and a hash value of a previous block of the block chain.

Abstract: A messaging and content sharing platform that allows for securely transferring an object. During operation, the system may receive the object from a sending device operated by a user, wherein the object is a message or other content. The system may receive data indicating one or more restrictions set by the user associated with the object. The system may receive a request from a receiving device to obtain the object. The system may then determine that one or more restrictions associated with the request to obtain the object are satisfied, and send a portion of the object to the receiving device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed permitting a sender to send a secret and secure message to a recipient. An application on a sender device interfaces with known message generating tools to permit a user to generate a message. The local application encrypts the message (and optional attachments) based on public/private key pairing negotiated with the server given the recipient device id. The sender device transmits the cipher text to the server. The server generates a benign, text-based, context-appropriate message and delivers same to a recipient device by way of a known messaging service. The benign message provides a secret clue to the recipient that an encrypted message is available. Recipient may then access and decrypt the encrypted message, such as from the server in response to a successful challenge (e.g., password request).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed permitting a sender to send a secret and secure message to a recipient. An application on a sender device interfaces with known message generating tools to permit a user to generate a message. The local application encrypts the message (and optional attachments) based on public/private key pairing negotiated with the server given the recipient device id. The sender device transmits the cipher text to the server. The server generates a benign, text-based, context-appropriate message and delivers same to a recipient device by way of a known messaging service. The benign message provides a secret clue to the recipient that an encrypted message is available. Recipient may then access and decrypt the encrypted message, such as from the server in response to a successful challenge (e.g., password request).

Abstract: A messaging and content sharing platform that allows for sender-controlled permissions and rules. During operation, a sending device can receive user input to set permissions and rules for an object to be sent to a receiving device. The permissions and rules control how the object will be managed after leaving the sending device. A receiving device receives the object and complies with the permissions and rules associated with the object. Other features of the platform include a hierarchical view for group messaging, an attachment-only view of messages, large file attachments, and the ability to allow users to access external services such as social networking websites without logging in.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system that facilitates secure communication between a sending device and a receiving device. During operation, the system receives, at the receiving device, a benign message sent over a communication channel from the sending device. Next, the system computes a digest from the benign message by hashing the benign message. The system then queries a cover message server with the computed digest to determine whether the benign message indicates that an encrypted message is available at a secure message server. Subsequently, the system obtains the encrypted message from the secure message server, responsive to determining that the benign message indicates that the encrypted message is available at the secure message server.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system that facilitates secure communication between a sending device and a receiving device. During operation, the system first transmits an encrypted message to a secure message server, wherein the encrypted message is addressed to the receiving device. The system then generates a cover message which indicates that the encrypted message is available for the receiving device. The system then transmits a digest of the cover message to a cover message server and makes the cover message available for the receiving device, thereby allowing the receiving device to confirm with the cover message server whether the cover message indicates availability of the encrypted message for the receiving device, and allowing the receiving device to obtain the encrypted message from the secure message server.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed permitting a sender to send a secret and secure message to a recipient. An application on a sender device interfaces with known message generating tools to permit a user to generate a message. The local application encrypts the message (and optional attachments) based on public/private key pairing negotiated with the server given the recipient device id. The sender device transmits the cipher text to the server. The server generates a benign, text-based, context-appropriate message and delivers same to a recipient device by way of a known messaging service. The benign message provides a secret clue to the recipient that an encrypted message is available. Recipient may then access and decrypt the encrypted message, such as from the server in response to a successful challenge (e.g., password request).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed permitting a sender to send a secret and secure message to a recipient. An application on a sender device interfaces with known message generating tools to permit a user to generate a message. The local application encrypts the message (and optional attachments) based on public/private key pairing negotiated with the server given the recipient device id. The sender device transmits the cipher text to the server. The server generates a benign, text-based, context-appropriate message and delivers same to a recipient device by way of a known messaging service. The benign message provides a secret clue to the recipient that an encrypted message is available. Recipient may then access and decrypt the encrypted message, such as from the server in response to a successful challenge (e.g., password request).