System and method for updating software on a computer

• US 20060026283A1
• Filed: 07/30/2004
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Trueba, Luis Ruben Zapien
• Granted Patent: US 8,146,072 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/225
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/577 Assessing vulnerabilities and evaluating computer system security

Abstract

One aspect of the invention is a method for updating the version of software resident on a computer that includes providing a kiosk in a public place. A communication path is established between the kiosk and a computer to be tested. It is determined, using the kiosk, whether at least one program resident on the computer is a preferred version.

Claims

1. A method for updating the version of software resident on a computer comprising:

providing a kiosk in a public place;

establishing a communication path between the kiosk and a computer to be tested; and

determining, using the kiosk, whether at least one program resident on the computer is a preferred version.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the communication path between the kiosk and the computer comprises coupling a port of the kiosk to a port of the computer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein establishing the communication path between the kiosk and the computer comprises establishing a wireless communication path between the kiosk and the computer.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising indicating to a user that the at least one program is not the preferred version if it is determined that the at least one program is not a latest version available.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising indicating to a user that the at least one program is current if it is determined that the at least one program is the preferred version.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting one or more options to the user.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving from the user a selection of the one or more options, the selection comprising directions causing the processor to perform an antivirus scan, software upgrade analysis, security practice assessment analysis, or a security patch analysis.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying a patch to code associated with the at least one program if it is determined that the at least one program is not the preferred version, the patch replacing a portion of the code.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving version information associated with the at least one program; and

comparing the version information to information associated with the preferred version.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving payment information from a user before scanning the at least one program resident on the computer.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the computer has one or more malicious code items.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising removing a file associated with the one or more malicious code items from the computer if it is determined that the computer has the one or more malicious code items.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving payment information from a user if it is determined that the at least one program is not the preferred version.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the kiosk in a public place comprises placing the kiosk in an airport, train station, office building, bus station, shopping center, or retail business.

15. A kiosk for testing the security of a computer comprising:

a communication link operable to establish a communication path between the kiosk and a computer to be tested;

computer software operable to communicate with the computer to be tested through the communication link and further operable to;

scan at least one program resident on the computer; and

determine whether the at least one program resident on the computer is a preferred version; and

wherein the kiosk is located in a public place.

16. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the communication link comprises a port operable to physically couple to a port of the computer.

17. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the communication link comprises a wireless communication path between the computer and the processor.

18. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the kiosk further comprises a display coupled to the processor.

19. The kiosk of claim 18, wherein the display is operable to indicate to a user that the at least one program is not the preferred version if it is determined that the at least one program is not a latest version available.

20. The kiosk of claim 18, wherein the display is operable to indicate to a user that the at least one program is current if it is determined that the at least one program is the preferred version.

21. The kiosk of claim 18, wherein the display is further operable to present one or more options to the user.

22. The kiosk of claim 21, wherein the one or more options are selectable by the user, the one or more options comprising directions causing the processor to perform an antivirus scan, software upgrade analysis, security practice assessment, or a security patch analysis.

23. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the processor is further operable to apply a patch to code associated with the at least one program if it is determined that the at least one program is not the preferred version, the patch replacing a portion of the code.

24. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the processor is further operable to

receive version information associated with the at least one program;

and

compare the version information to information associated with the preferred version.

25. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the processor is operable to receive payment information from a user before scanning the at least one program resident on the computer.

26. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the processor is further operable to determine whether the computer has one or more malicious code items.

27. The kiosk of claim 26, wherein the processor is further operable to remove a file associated with the one or more malicious code items from the computer if it is determined that the computer has one or more malicious code items.

28. The kiosk of claim 26, wherein the processor is operable to receive payment information from a user if it is determined that the at least one program is not the preferred version.

29. The kiosk of claim 15, wherein the public place comprises an airport, train station, office building, bus station, shopping center, or retail business.