Method for strongly encrypting .ZIP files
The present invention provides a method of integrating existing strong encryption methods into the processing of a .ZIP file to provide a highly secure data container which provides flexibility in the use of symmetric and asymmetric encryption technology. The present invention adapts the well established .ZIP file format to support higher levels of security and multiple methods of data encryption and key management, thereby producing a highly secure and flexible digital container for electronically storing and transferring confidential data.
1 - 24 . (Canceled)
25 . A method of placing data in a .Zip file format data container, said method including:
receiving a data file;
encrypting said data file to form encrypted data, wherein said encrypting includes encrypting said data file using symmetric encryption having a key length of at least 128 bits; and
placing said encrypted data in a data container, wherein said data container is constructed in accordance with a .Zip file format
26 . The method of claim 25 further including:
compressing said data file before encrypting said data file.
27 . The method of claim 26 wherein said compressing employs a Lempel-Ziv (LZ)-type data compression algorithm.
28 . The method of claim 26 wherein said compressing employs a Deflate-type data compression algorithm.
29 . The method of claim 26 wherein said compressing employs a Burrows-Wheeler Transform (BWT)-type data compression algorithm.
30 . The method of claim 25 wherein said data file has not been previously compressed.
31 . The method of claim 25 wherein said key length is at least 192 bits.
32 . The method of claim 25 wherein said key length is at least 256 bits.
33 . The method of claim 25 further including:
generating symmetric key data during said encrypting of said data file.
34 . The method of claim 33 further including:
placing said symmetric key data in said data container.
35 . A .Zip file format data container, said data container including:
encrypted data,
wherein said encrypted data has been encrypted using symmetric encryption having a key length of at least 128 bits,
wherein said data container is constructed in accordance with a .Zip file format.
36 . The .Zip file format data container of claim 35 wherein said encrypted data has been compressed before encryption.
37 . The .Zip file format data container of claim 36 wherein said encrypted data has been compressed before encryption using a Lempel-Ziv (LZ)-type data compression algorithm.
38 . The .Zip file format data container of claim 36 wherein said encrypted data has been compressed before encryption using a Deflate-type data compression algorithm.
39 . The .Zip file format data container of claim 36 wherein said encrypted data has been compressed before encryption using a Burrows-Wheeler Transform (BWT)-type data compression algorithm.
40 . The .Zip file format data container of claim 35 wherein said encrypted data has not been compressed before encryption.
41 . The .Zip file format data container of claim 35 wherein said key length is at least 192 bits.
42 . The .Zip file format data container of claim 35 wherein said key length is at least 256 bits.
43 . The .Zip file format data container of claim 35 further including:
symmetric key data,
wherein said symmetric key data is generated during said encrypting of said encrypted data.
44 . A method of placing data in a data container, said method including:
receiving a data file;
encrypting said data file to form encrypted data, wherein said encrypting includes encrypting said data file using symmetric encryption having a key length of at least 128 bits; and
placing said encrypted data in a data container, wherein said data container is designed for containing compressed files.
45 . The method of claim 44 further including:
compressing said data file before encrypting said data file.
46 . The method of claim 45 wherein said compressing employs a Lempel-Ziv (LZ)-type data compression algorithm.
47 . The method of claim 45 wherein said compressing employs a Deflate-type data compression algorithm.
48 . The method of claim 45 wherein said compressing employs a Burrows-Wheeler Transform (BWT)-type data compression algorithm.
49 . The method of claim 44 wherein said data file has not been previously compressed.
50 . The method of claim 44 wherein said key length is at least 192 bits.
51 . The method of claim 44 wherein said key length is at least 256 bits.
52 . The method of claim 44 further including:
generating symmetric key data during said encrypting of said data file.
53 . The method of claim 52 further including:
placing said symmetric key data in said data container.
54 . The method of claim 44 wherein said data container is constructed in accordance with a .Zip file format.
55 . A data container, said data container including:
encrypted data,
wherein said encrypted data has been encrypted using symmetric encryption having a key length of at least 128 bits,
wherein said data container is designed for containing compressed files.
56 . The data container of claim 55 wherein said encrypted data has been compressed before encryption.
57 . The data container of claim 56 wherein said encrypted data has been compressed before encryption using a Lempel-Ziv (LZ)-type data compression algorithm.
58 . The data container of claim 56 wherein said encrypted data has been compressed before encryption using a Deflate-type data compression algorithm.
59 . The data container of claim 56 wherein said encrypted data has been compressed before encryption using a Burrows-Wheeler Transform (BWT)-type data compression algorithm.
60 . The data container of claim 55 wherein said encrypted data has not been compressed before encryption.
61 . The data container of claim 55 wherein said key length is at least 192 bits.
62 . The data container of claim 55 wherein said key length is at least 256 bits.
63 . The data container of claim 55 further including:
symmetric key data,
wherein said symmetric key data is generated during said encrypting of said encrypted data.
64 . The data container of claim 55 wherein said data container is constructed in accordance with a .Zip file format.