Authenticating electronic content
The present invention provides for an authenticity marker to be embedded within web page and/or email content which allows a user to validate that the content originates from the true source of the content and is not merely a copy. The method includes a user requesting content in the form of a web page and/or email from a server using a web browser or email client. The server receives the request, retrieves the content and forwards it to an authentication server. The authentication server inserts into the retrieved content a unique fractal icon and/or information only known between the owner of the content and the user.
1. A method for authenticating a web page comprising:
creating formatted data by inserting an authenticity key into data requested by a client computer requesting a web page, a preferences file being located using the authenticity key;
sending the formatted data to the client computer;
retrieving an authenticity stamp associated with the client computer using the authenticity key;
inserting the authenticity stamp into the web page returned to the client computer.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying the web page with the authenticity stamp.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the preferences file includes the authenticity stamp.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the preferences file includes an image used for the authenticity stamp.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the formatted data and the web page is authenticated using SSL.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the authenticity stamp is selected by a user of the client computer.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the authenticity stamp is known to be associated with a user of the client computer.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the formatted data is displayed to a user of the client computer.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the authenticity key changes with each request for a web page.