Method and system for revocation of certificates used to certify public key users

A method for creating and revoking certificates, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving a request for a certificate on a dedicated communications channel;
• b) requesting caller identifying information for said request from an operator of said dedicated channel;
• c) creating said requested certificate using said caller identifying information, said certificate including at least an owner's phone number determined from said identifying information;
• and thereafter
• d) selecting a group of certificates previously created in steps a through c for review;
• e) choosing a next certificate from said group for review;
• f) accessing a reverse telephone book database to determine if said next certificate's identifying information and phone number are still correct;
• and if not
• g) adding said next certificate to a list of revoked certificates;
• and
• k) if more certificates in said group remain to be reviewed, returning to step e.

A programmable server for reviewing and revoking certificates, said server being programmed to:

• b1) select a class of certificates for review, each of said certificates including identifying information and a phone number for its owner;
• b2) access a certificate database to choose a next certificate from said class for review;
• b3) access a reverse telephone database to determine if said next certificate's identifying information is still correct;
• and if not
• b4) add said next certificate to a list of revoked certificates;
• and
• d5) if more certificates in said group remain to be reviewed, return to step b.

A method for creating and revoking certificates, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving a request for a certificate on a dedicated communications channel;
• b) requesting caller identifying information for said request from an operator of said dedicated channel;
• c) creating said requested certificate using said caller identifying information, said certificate including at least an owner's phone number determined from said identifying information;
• d) determining if a corresponding certificate exists;
• and if so
• e) adding said corresponding certificate to a list of revoked certificates.