System, method and computer product for delivery and receipt of S/MIME encrypted data

A computer product operable on a network-connected device for enabling S/MIME compliant communications between the network-connected device and remote devices via a communication network, the computer product comprising:

• (a) a browser;
• (b) an encryption/decryption facility linked to the browser so as to enable PKI transactions to be conducted in the browser;
• and
• (c) an S/MIME facility linked to the browser and the encryption/decryption facility that enables the network-connected device to exchange S/MIME compliant communications with the remote device via the browser in cooperation with the encryption/decryption facility.

A method of sending S/MIME compliant communications electronically comprising:

• (a) providing an encryption/decryption facility and an S/MIME facility, linked to a browser, loaded on a network-connected device associated with a sender;
• (b) authenticating the sender with a remote server by means of a user authentication means linked to the network-connected device;
• (c) the sender requesting an S/MIME compliant communication with a recipient from the remote server;
• (d) the remote server communicating the recipient's private key and certificate to the S/MIME facility;
• (e) the network-connected device contacting a Certificate Authority to verify the recipient's public key and certificate, by means of the encryption/decryption facility;
• and
• (f) creating an S/MIME compliant communication by signing and encrypting a communication in the browser using the private key of the sender and the public key of the recipient, by means of the encryption/decryption facility and the S/MIME facility.

A method of retrieving and deciphering S/MIME compliant communications electronically comprising:

• (a) providing an encryption/decryption facility and an S/MIME facility, linked to a browser, loaded on a network-connected device;
• (b) requesting the retrieval of an S/MIME compliant communication from the network-connected device;
• (c) Authenticating a recipient associated with the network-connected device with a remote server;
• (d) The remote server communicating the sender's private key and certificate to the S/MIME facility;
• (e) The remote server sending the requested S/MIME compliant communication to the network-connected device;
• (f) The encryption/decryption facility authenticating the recipient's private key and certificate against the private key and certificate stored to a key/certificate store accessible from the network-connected device whereby upon authentication thereof the private key and certificate are released to the S/MIME facility, thereby enabling the S/MIME compliant communication to be deciphered in the browser.