Method and apparatus for digitally signing electronic mail that originates from a browser

A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for digitally signing electronic mail that originates from a web browser, the method comprising:

• receiving content for an electronic mail from the web browser of a client;
• formatting the electronic mail to a format that can be digitally signed;
• returning the formatted electronic mail to the web browser, thereby allowing the web browser to generate a digital signature for the formatted electronic mail;
• in response, receiving the digital signature generated by the web browser for the formatted electronic mail;
• encapsulating the formatted electronic mail and the signature as a secure electronic mail;
• and
• forwarding the secure electronic mail to an intended recipient.

A method for digitally signing electronic mail that originates from a web browser, comprising:

• receiving at a web browser at a client content for an electronic mail from a user;
• sending the electronic mail content to a remote server, thereby allowing the remote server to format the content into an electronic mail format;
• in response, receiving the content formatted in the electronic mail format from the remote server;
• generating a digital signature for on the received content which is formatted in the electronic mail format based on a cryptographic key stored at the client;
• transmitting the generated digital signature to the remote server, thereby allowing the remote server to encapsulate the formatted electronic mail and the digital signature as a secure electronic mail and forward the electronic mail to an intended recipient.

A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for digitally signing electronic mail that originates from a web browser, the method comprising:

• receiving at a web browser at a client content for an electronic mail from a user;
• sending the electronic mail content to a remote server, thereby allowing the remote server to format the content into an electronic mail format;
• in response, receiving the content formatted in the electronic mail format from the remote server;
• generating a digital signature for on the received content which is formatted in the electronic mail format based on a cryptographic key stored at the client;
• transmitting the generated digital signature to the remote server, thereby allowing the remote server to encapsulate the formatted electronic mail and the digital signature as a secure electronic mail and forward the electronic mail to an intended recipient.