A plurality of Integrated Devices are provided with an Internet connection and
a telephone number. The telephone number has associated telephone connectivity
via a telephone line, such that the Integrated Devices can be connected to by dialing
the associated telephone number via telephones on the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN). The Internet connection has an associated Internet protocol (IP)
address which is dynamically assigned when one device calls the telephone number
of a called device via the PSTN. The dynamically assigned IP address for a first
one of the calling or called device is provided to the other device, which initiates
an Internet connection between them by sending an Internet message to the dynamically
assigned IP address of the first device. Local and intermediate proxy servers perform
dynamic IP address management, providing privacy and security for user IP addresses
and data transmissions. Encryption keys are provided by PSTN digital messaging
capabilities to calling and called devices for subsequent encryption of communications
data transported across the Internet. The Internet is thereby integrated with the
PSTN. Significant benefits, including the richness of Internet communications,
become available by simply dialing the telephone number of suitably equipped devices
or systems.
