Method and system for encrypted searching
The present teaching relates to a method, system, and programming for encrypted searching. In a search session, a uniform resource locator (URL) is received, wherein a portion of the URL is encrypted via a first key. A second key associated with the first key is obtained. A determination is made regarding whether a time-related criterion associated with the second key is satisfied. In response to the time-related criterion being satisfied, the portion of the URL is decrypted based on the second key to obtain a keyword, one or more search results are obtained based on the keyword, and a webpage including the one or more search results to be provided to a user is generated.
1. A method, implemented on a machine having at least one processor, storage, and a communication platform capable of connecting to a network for encrypted searching, the method comprising:
selecting, by a search engine based on a model, a set of keys from a plurality of sets of keys for encrypting and decrypting a keyword associated with a search request from a user device;
receiving, by the search engine from the user device, a uniform resource locator (URL) generated by the user device, wherein the URL includes the keyword and is encrypted based on the set of keys;
setting an active time-window for the set of keys;
transmitting, by the search engine to the user device, the set of keys;
if the active window does not expire, performing, based on the URL and the set of keys, a search in response to the search request; and
if the active window expires, selecting a different set of keys from the plurality of sets of keys.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of keys includes a first key and a second key.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein a portion of the URL corresponding to the keyword is encrypted via the first key.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of performing a search comprises:
decrypting the encrypted portion of the URL based on the second key to obtain the keyword,
obtaining one or more search results based on the keyword, and
generating a webpage including the one or more search results to be provided to the user.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
if the active window expires, directing the URL to a search box.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
storing the sets of keys in a database.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
periodically refreshing plurality of sets of keys.
8. A machine readable and non-transitory medium having information recorded thereon for encrypted searching, wherein the information, when read by the machine, causes the machine to perform:
selecting, by a search engine based on a model, a set of keys from a plurality of sets of keys for encrypting and decrypting a keyword associated with a search request from a user device;
receiving, by the search engine from the user device, a uniform resource locator (URL) generated by the user device, wherein the URL includes the keyword and is encrypted based on the set of keys;
setting an active time-window for the set of keys;
transmitting, by the search engine to the user device, the set of keys;
if the active window does not expire, performing, based on the URL and the set of keys, a search in response to the search request; and
if the active window expires, selecting a different set of keys from the plurality of sets of keys.
9. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the set of keys includes a first key and a second key.
10. The medium of claim 9 , wherein a portion of the URL corresponding to the keyword is encrypted via the first key.
11. The medium of claim 10 , wherein the step of performing a search comprises:
decrypting the encrypted portion of the URL based on the second key to obtain the keyword,
obtaining one or more search results based on the keyword, and
generating a webpage including the one or more search results to be provided to the user.
12. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the information, when read by the machine, causes the machine to further perform:
if the active window expires, directing the URL to a search box.
13. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the information, when read by the machine, causes the machine to further perform:
storing the sets of keys in a database.
14. The medium of claim 8 , wherein the information, when read by the machine, causes the machine to further perform:
periodically refreshing plurality of sets of keys.
15. A system for encrypted searching comprising:
memory storing computer program instructions; and
one or more processors that, in response to executing the computer program instructions, effectuate operations comprising:
selecting, by a search engine based on a model, a set of keys from a plurality of sets of keys for encrypting and decrypting a keyword associated with a search request from a user device;
receiving, by the search engine from the user device, a uniform resource locator (URL) generated by the user device, wherein the URL includes the keyword and is encrypted based on the set of keys;
setting an active time-window for the set of keys;
transmitting, by the search engine to the user device, the set of keys;
if the active window does not expire, performing, based on the URL and the set of keys, a search in response to the search request; and
if the active window expires, selecting a different set of keys from the plurality of sets of keys.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the set of keys includes a first key and a second key.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein a portion of the URL corresponding to the keyword is encrypted via the first key.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the operation of performing a search comprises:
decrypting the encrypted portion of the URL based on the second key to obtain the keyword,
obtaining one or more search results based on the keyword, and
generating a webpage including the one or more search results to be provided to the user.
19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:
if the active window expires, directing the URL to a search box.
20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:
periodically refreshing plurality of sets of keys.