Data transfer method with varying packet transmission time interval security protocol

A message to be communicated over an unsecure communications link (16) is fragmented (26) into a plurality of packets (each of perhaps varying length). The packets are then individually transmitted (20) over the unsecure communications link with an introduced varying (perhaps, randomly or pseudo-randomly) selected inter-packet time interval (delay). Received packets are then reassembled (36) to regenerate the original message. To provide enhanced security against eavesdropping, the packets are not only transmitted in a non-timely manner (28) with the inter-packet time delay, but are also either routed (32) over different transmission paths (34) supported by the communications link or disordered (30) in a random or pseudo-random manner prior to transmission.