Storage and Authentication of Data Transactions

Apparatus for storage of data, comprising a computer memory for storing copies of a plurality of data items, a computer output for generating at the end of a predetermined period of time, a data file comprising hash values of each data item created and/or stored during that time, a computer hash value generator for generating a single hash value of said data file, and a transmitter for transmitting said single hash value to a remote location for storage and/or publication thereof, or of data representative thereof.

A method of storing and authenticating data, comprising the steps of storing copies of a plurality of data items,

• generating at the end of a predetermined period of time, a data file comprising hash values of each data item created and/or signed during that time,
• generating a single hash value of said data file, and
• transmitting said single hash value to a remote location for storage and/or publication thereof (or of data representative thereof).

Apparatus for verifying by a second end user the authenticity of use of an identifier by a first end user, the apparatus comprising means for identifying the communication of a data item encrypted using or otherwise including an identifier unique to said first end user from said first end user to said second end user across an information technology communications network, means for accessing, in response to such identification, storage means containing information relating to one or more valid recent events or transactions relating to said identifier which have occurred across said information technology communications network, means for obtaining confirmation from said first end user that at least one of said recent events or transactions is valid, and means for preventing further use of said identifier in the event that such confirmation is not received.

A computer implemented method for verifying by a second end user the authenticity of use of an identifier by a first end user, the method comprising the steps of

• identifying the communication of a data item encrypted using or otherwise including an identifier unique to said first end user from said first end user to said second end user across an information technology communications network,
• accessing, in response to such identification, storage means containing information relating to one or more valid recent events or transactions relating to said identifier which have occurred across said information technology communications network,
• obtaining confirmation from said first end user that at least one of said recent events or transactions is valid, preventing further use of said identifier in the event that such confirmation is not received.