Secure persistent software updates
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A device comprising:
- a network interface configured to receive a message from an update server over a network;
a processor configured to;
operate the device according to a normal mode that enables the device to receive the message from the update server; and
a secure watchdog configured to;
set a time frame for receiving the message from the update server; and
responsive to not receiving the message before the expiration of the time frame, cause the processor to switch from operating the device according to the normal mode to operating the device according to a recovery mode, the recovery mode;
having a reduced set of functions compared to the normal mode; and
enabling a software update to occur on the device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques and devices for secure persistent software updates are described. Through use of these techniques and devices, events that can prevent a software update from occurring can be detected and operations that enable the software update to occur can be performed. The techniques are capable of ensuring a computing device is using a latest software and that persistent software updates continue, despite any efforts to compromise the computing device.
11 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A device comprising:
-
a network interface configured to receive a message from an update server over a network; a processor configured to; operate the device according to a normal mode that enables the device to receive the message from the update server; and a secure watchdog configured to; set a time frame for receiving the message from the update server; and responsive to not receiving the message before the expiration of the time frame, cause the processor to switch from operating the device according to the normal mode to operating the device according to a recovery mode, the recovery mode;
having a reduced set of functions compared to the normal mode; andenabling a software update to occur on the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method comprising:
-
receiving a message from an update server, the message including information associated with a latest software that is available for a computing device via the update server; determining, based on the received message, whether a current software that the computing device is configured to execute corresponds with the latest software; responsive to the current software not corresponding with the latest software, setting a time frame for enabling a software update to occur on the computing device; responsive to the time frame expiring, determining whether the latest software is stored on the computing device; and responsive to the latest software being stored, causing the computing device to reboot, the reboot enabling the computing device to load the latest software;
orresponsive to the latest software not being stored, causing the computing device to switch from operating according to a normal mode to operating according to a recovery mode that enables the software update to occur on the computing device, the recovery mode having a reduced set of functions compared to the normal mode. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method comprising:
-
storing information associated with a latest software that is available via an update server, the information received via a message from the update server; accessing, during a boot-up process of a computing device, the information associated with the latest software; determining, before a software is loaded during the boot-up process, whether the software corresponds with the latest software based on the information associated with the latest software; and responsive to the software not corresponding to the latest software, causing the computing device to operate in a recovery mode, the recovery mode;
enabling the computing device to not load the software; and
enabling a software update to occur on the computing device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification