Abstract: A puzzle-based protocol is provided that allows a token and verifier to agree on a secure symmetric key for authentication between the token and verifier. A token stores a secret key and one or more puzzle-generating algorithms. The verifier independently obtains a plurality of puzzles associated with the token, pseudorandomly selects at least one of the puzzles, and solves it to obtain a puzzle secret and a puzzle identifier. The verifier generates a verifier key based on the puzzle secret. The verifier sends the puzzle identifier and an encoded version of the verifier key to the token. The token regenerates the puzzle secret using its puzzle-generating algorithms and the puzzle identifier. The token sends an encoded response to the verifier indicating that it knows the verifier key. The token and verifier may use the verifier key as a symmetric key for subsequent authentications.

Abstract: A virtual environment and real world environment are combined into a framework that facilitates large-scale social interaction in multi-player fantasy games played in both the real world and/or a virtual world. Such combination of real and virtual world features may blend geo-caching, orienteering, and other virtual gaming features to enable players to interact across the real and virtual environments. A real world player is also mapped into the virtual environment, thereby inserting the player's movements and actions into the virtual environment. Additionally, this feature enables interaction between players located in a real environment with characters found in a virtual environment. A player may use a mobile device that is configured to recognize the geo-location and orientation of the player and display a corresponding view of the virtual environment gaming landscape for the player.

Abstract: Systems and methods of securing wireless communications between a network and a subscriber station are disclosed. One embodiment creates authentication triplets due to expire after a certain amount of time such that they may not be used indefinitely by an attacker who intercepts them.

Abstract: Prior to transmission, a message is divided into multiple transmission units. A sub-message authentication code is obtained for each of the transmission units. A composed message authentication code is obtained for the whole message based on the sub-message authentication codes of the multiple transmission units. The multiple transmission units and the composed message authentication code are then transmitted. A receiver of the message receives a plurality of transmission units corresponding to the message. A local sub-message authentication code is calculated by the receiver for each transmission unit. A local composed message authentication code is calculated by the receiver based on the local sub-message authentication codes for the plurality of transmission units. The local composed message authentication code is compared to a received composed message authentication code to determine the integrity and/or authenticity of the received message.

Abstract: Systems and methods of securing wireless communications between a network and a subscriber station are disclosed. One embodiment creates authentication triplets due to expire after a certain amount of time such that they may not be used indefinitely by an attacker who intercepts them.

Abstract: In a communication system in which two communication entities seek to have a private or confidential communication session, a trust relationship needs first be established. The trust relationship is based on the determination of a shared secret which in turn is generated from contextual information. The contextual information can be derived from the circumstances surrounding the communication session. For example, the contextual information can include topological information, time-based information, and transactional information. The shared secret may be self-generated or received from a third party. In either event, the shared secret may be used as key material for any cryptographic protocol used between the communication entities.

Abstract: Embodiments describe techniques in connection with configuring a firewall and/or reducing network traffic. According to an embodiment is a method for configuring a firewall to reduce unwanted network traffic. The method includes executing a web-server and detecting a passive socket has been created. The method also includes establishing contact with a firewall and requesting the firewall to permit flows directed to the passive socket. According to some embodiments, the method can include closing the web-server and destroying the passive socket. The firewall can be contacted with the destroyed passive socket information and can be sent a request to deny flows directed to the destroyed passive socket. If the passive socket is closed, the method can automatically revoke the request to the firewall to permit flows directed to the passive socket.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a system and/or method for multiple party digital signatures. According to a first aspect a method comprises establishing a first validity range for a first key, establishing a first validity range for at least a second key, and determining if the validity range of the first key overlaps the first validity range of the at least a second key. A certificate is signed with the first validity range of the first key and the first validity range of the at least a second key if the validity ranges overlap. According to another embodiment, signage of the certificate is refused if the first validity range of the first key does not overlap with the first validity range of the at least a second key.

Abstract: A communications system and method of bootstrapping mobile station authentication and establishing a secure encryption key are disclosed. In one embodiment of the communications network, a distinguished random challenge is reserved for generation of a secure encryption key, wherein the distinguished random challenge is not used for authentication of a mobile station. The distinguished random challenge is stored at a mobile station's mobile equipment and used to generate a secure encryption key, and a bootstrapping function in the network uses a normal random challenge to authenticate the mobile station and the distinguished random challenge to generate the secure encryption key.

Abstract: Methods and devices for instructing a subscriber identity module in a cellular communications network to process non-standard authentication information in a standard manner are disclosed. One embodiment of a method comprises receiving a first message authentication code (MAC) and an authentication management field (AMF) at a subscriber identity module as part of an authentication protocol, calculating a second MAC and determining whether the second MAC is equivalent to the first MAC. If the first and second MAC are not equivalent, the SIM calculates a third MAC and determines whether the first MAC is equivalent to the third MAC, and if so, the subscriber identity module processes the AMF in a predefined or standard manner.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a system and/or method for efficient classification of network packets. According to an aspect a method includes describing a packet as a feature vector and mapping the feature vector to a feature space. The method can further include defining a feature prism, classifying the packet relative to the feature prism, and determining if the feature vector matches the feature prism. If the feature vector matches the feature prism the packet is passed to a data recipient, if not, the packet is blocked. Another embodiment is an apparatus that includes an identification component that defines at least one feature of a packet and a classification component that classifies the packet based at least in part upon the at least one defined feature.

Abstract: Stream cipher encryption and message authentication. Stream cipher encryption is performed by generating a keystream at the transmitting end from a state value, applying the keystream to plaintext to generate an encrypted message block having at least a portion of the plaintext converted to ciphertext, and updating the state value as a function of said at least a portion of the plaintext. Stream cipher decryption is performed by generating a keystream at the receiving end from the same state value, applying the keystream to the encrypted message block to convert the ciphertext to plaintext, and updating the state value as a function of the plaintext. Message authentication techniques are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods of securing wireless communications between a network and a subscriber station include inserting a marker denoting an encryption type within a random value used for authentication, calculating a first session key and a first response value as a function of the random value, then calculating a second session key and a second response value as a function of the random value, first session key and first response value. The two levels of session keys and response values may be used by upgraded subscriber stations and network access points to prevent attackers from intercepting authentication triplets.

Abstract: Systems and methods of securing wireless communications between a network and a subscriber station are disclosed. One embodiment creates authentication triplets due to expire after a certain amount of time such that they may not be used indefinitely by an attacker who intercepts them.