Enhanced challenge-response
View Patent ↗In some embodiments, a technique for challenging a message comprises receiving a message, providing a captcha, providing a machine-solvable puzzle, and sending the captcha and the machine-solvable puzzle.
1. A method for challenging a message, comprising:
at an electronic computing device, sending a challenge via an electronic communications network, wherein the challenge is associated with a puzzle and comprises an encoded specification of the puzzle, wherein the encoding provides certification;
receiving a response via the electronic communications network, wherein the response comprises an answer to the puzzle and the encoded specification of the puzzle;
determining whether the encoded specification of the puzzle is valid;
considering the answer incorrect, when it is determined that the encoded specification of the puzzle is not valid; and
decoding the encoded specification of the puzzle and determining whether the answer fulfills the decoded specification of the puzzle.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the puzzle includes a captcha.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the puzzle includes a machine-solvable puzzle.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the challenge is an email, and the encoded specification of the puzzle is included in a header of the challenge message.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle is encrypted using a secret key.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle includes a cryptographic signature.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising delivering an electronic message, when it is determined that the answer fulfills the decoded specification.
8. A system for challenging a message at an electronic computing device, comprising:
a processor configured to:
send a challenge via an electronic communications network, wherein the challenge is associated with a puzzle and comprises an encoded specification of the puzzle, wherein the encoding provides certification;
receiving a response via the electronic communications network, wherein the response comprises an answer to the puzzle and the encoded specification of the puzzle;
determine whether the encoded specification of the puzzle is valid;
consider the answer incorrect, when it is determined that the encoded specification of the puzzle is not valid; and
decode the encoded specification of the puzzle and determine whether the answer fulfills the decoded specification of the puzzle; and
a memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory provides instructions to the processor.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the puzzle includes a captcha.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the puzzle includes a machine-solvable puzzle.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the challenge is an email, and the encoded specification of the puzzle is included in a header of the challenge message.
12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle is encrypted using a secret key.
13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle includes a cryptographic signature.
14. The system of claim 8 , further comprising delivering an electronic message, when it is determined that the answer fulfills the decoded specification.
15. A computer program product for challenging a message, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:
sending a challenge via an electronic communications network, wherein the challenge is associated with a puzzle and comprises an encoded specification of the puzzle, wherein the encoding provides certification;
receiving a response via the electronic communications network, wherein the response comprises an answer to the puzzle and the encoded specification of the puzzle;
determining whether the encoded specification of the puzzle is valid;
considering the answer incorrect, when it is determined that the encoded specification of the puzzle is not valid; and
decoding the encoded specification of the puzzle and determining whether the answer fulfills the decoded specification of the puzzle.
16. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the puzzle includes a captcha.
17. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the puzzle includes a machine-solvable puzzle.
18. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the challenge is an email, and the encoded specification of the puzzle is included in a header of the challenge message.
19. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle is encrypted using a secret key.
20. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein the encoded specification of the puzzle includes a cryptographic signature.
21. The computer program product of claim 15 , further comprising delivering an electronic message, when it is determined that the answer fulfills the decoded specification.