Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for filtering packets uses digital signatures to filter packets in a network. A filter point, such as a router or firewall to an intranet, receives a packet including a header, detects the existence of a signature in the header, tests the validity of the signature using a public key, and forwards the packet in accordance with the validity of the signature. A sender uses a private key obtained from an owner to generate the signature, which is created by encrypting a fingerprint which corresponds to the data in the packet. Public keys are created by an owner which installs them in a domain name system or a certification server. Private keys are also created by the owner but are disseminated only to authorized senders. A method and apparatus for sending packets stores a private key in a memory of the data processor, generates a signature using the private key, installs the signature into a header of a packet; and sends the packet.

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First Claim