METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SECURE DOCUMENT DISTRIBUTION

A system for providing secure document distribution is disclosed. The system permits an author to create a document, secure the document using an access code, encrypt the access code, and forward a message to a recipient, wherein the message includes the document and the encrypted access code. A terminal permits the recipient to open the message, generate an image having information embedded therein, including the encrypted access code. A portable device enables the recipient to capture the image, store predetermined information for decrypting the encrypted access code, capture input information from the recipient used to ensure that the recipient is authorized to use the portable device, and thereafter extract the information embedded in the image, decrypt the encrypted access code using the predetermined information, and evaluate the output to determine if the correct access code needed for access to the document is provided.