Method and system for decrypting strongly encrypted .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 providing access to data in a .Zip file format data container, said method including:
receiving a data container including an encrypted data file; and
decrypting said encrypted data file to form decrypted data file, wherein said decryption includes decrypting said encrypted data file using symmetric decryption having a key length of greater than or equal to 128 bits,
wherein said data container is constructed in accordance with a .Zip file format.
26 . The method of claim 25 further including receiving symmetric key data in said data container.
27 . The method of claim 26 further including using said symmetric key data to generate a symmetric key.
28 . The method of claim 27 further including using said symmetric key to decrypt said encrypted data.
29 . The method of claim 25 further including providing access to said decrypted data file.
30 . The method of claim 26 further including receiving decrypting data from an external input source.
31 . The method of claim 30 wherein said decrypting data is a password.
32 . The method of claim 30 further including using said decrypting data and said symmetric key data to generate a symmetric key.
33 . The method of claim 32 further including decrypting said encrypted data file using said symmetric key.
34 . The method of claim 25 further including decompressing said decrypted data file.
35 . The method of claim 34 wherein said decompressing employs a Lempel-Ziv (LZ)-type data decompression algorithm.
36 . The method of claim 34 wherein said decompressing employs a Deflate-type data decompression algorithm.
37 . The method of claim 34 wherein said decompressing employs a Burrows-Wheeler Transform (BWT)-type data decompression algorithm.
38 . The method of claim 25 wherein said data file is not decompressed.
39 . The method of claim 25 wherein said key length is at least 192 bits.
40 . The method of claim 25 wherein said key length is at least 256 bits.
41 . A method of providing access to data in a data container, said method including:
receiving a data container including an encrypted data file; and
decrypting said encrypted data file to form decrypted data file, wherein said decryption includes decrypting said encrypted data file using symmetric decryption having a key length of greater than or equal to 128 bits,
wherein said data container is designed for containing compressed files.
42 . The method of claim 41 further including receiving symmetric key data in said data container.
43 . The method of claim 42 further including using said symmetric key data to generate a symmetric key.
44 . The method of claim 43 further including using said symmetric key to decrypt said encrypted data.
45 . The method of claim 41 further including providing access to said decrypted data file.
46 . The method of claim 42 further including receiving decrypting data from an external input source.
47 . The method of claim 46 wherein said decrypting data is a password.
48 . The method of claim 46 further including using said decrypting data and said symmetric key data to generate a symmetric key.
49 . The method of claim 48 further including decrypting said encrypted data file using said symmetric key.
50 . The method of claim 41 further including decompressing said decrypted data file.
51 . The method of claim 50 wherein said decompressing employs a Lempel-Ziv (LZ)-type data decompression algorithm.
52 . The method of claim 50 wherein said decompressing employs a Deflate-type data decompression algorithm.
53 . The method of claim 50 wherein said decompressing employs a Burrows-Wheeler Transform (BWT)-type data decompression algorithm.
54 . The method of claim 41 wherein said data file is not decompressed.
55 . The method of claim 41 wherein said key length is at least 192 bits.
56 . The method of claim 41 wherein said key length is at least 256 bits.
57 . The method of claim 41 wherein said data container is constructed in accordance with a .Zip file format.