Importance

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Abstract

A portable security device is disclosed which can be carried by an individual and connected directly to telephone circuits to both authenticate that individual and encrypt data communications. The invention can operate as an electronic 'token' to uniquely identify the user to a network, to a computer system or to an application program. The 'token' contains the complete network interface, such as a modem, which modulates the data and provides the circuitry required for direct connection to the network. Furthermore, this 'token' will not permit communications to proceed until the device, and optionally the user, have been identified by the proper authentication. The token also contains all of the cryptographic processing required to protect the data using data encryption or message authentication or digital signatures or any combination thereof. Thus, the present invention provides the user with all of the communications and security equipment needed for use with personal computers and electronic notebooks and eliminates the need for any other security measures and/or devices.

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First Claim