Abstract: An issuer offers any type of service secured with a secret cryptographic key assigned to an applicant according to the present invention, which includes a secret key registration process. Usually, the secret key will be loaded on a portable memory device or other secret key store of the applicant. As preliminary steps, the issuer sets up its public key for the Probabilistic Encryption Key Exchange (PEKE) cryptosystem, and the applicant obtains a copy of a secret key registration software, a copy of the issuer's public key, and an uninitialized portable memory device. Once initiated by the applicant, the registration software generates an internal PEKE secret key. The applicant chooses a registration pass query and pass reply that the registration software MACs and encrypts with a key derived from the PEKE secret key. The registration software derives the key assigned to the applicant from the PEKE secret key, and loads it into the secret key store.

Abstract: Electronic funds transfer processes are being put into place to replace the paper based check clearing process. Although ubiquitous in the business environment, facsimile transmission technology has not been used for electronic transfer of funds. Fraud prevention and uncertainties in the legal status of a facsimile transmission are among the impediments for electronic funds transfer with facsimile.