Importance

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Abstract

A method of forwarding an encrypted message sent to a primary recipient having a secret key to at least one secondary recipient comprising the steps of sharing portions of the secret key among a predetermined threshold number of proxy servers greater than one, upon receipt of an encrypted message by the predetermined threshold number of proxy servers, each of the predetermined threshold number of proxy servers modifying the message by applying the key portion to the encrypted message, the result of the modification comprising a message secret to the predetermined threshold number of proxy servers but decryptable by at least one secondary recipient, and forwarding the resultant message to at least one secondary recipient. This method and system for quorum controlled asymmetric proxy encryption has uses ranging from efficient key distribution for pay-tv, to methods for distributively maintaining databases. The scheme, which can use either an ElGamal, or an ElGamal encryption based on Elliptic Curves or an ElGamal related encryption algorithm, leaks no information as long as there is no dishonest quorum of proxy servers.

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First Claim