Restricting and preventing pairing attempts from virus attack and malicious software

• US 20080003997A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Parkkinen, Jukka, Hyvarinen, Mikko A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,787,899 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/421
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/145 the attack involving the propagation of malware through the network, e.g. viruses, trojans or worms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/128 Anti-malware arrangements, e.g. protection against SMS fraud or mobile malware
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/30 Connection release

Abstract

A method, device and system restrict and prevent virus attack and malicious software to a wireless communication device from a pairing attempt by another wireless communications device. A switch is included in a transmission path coupling a first device to a second device, wherein the second device is attempting to pair with first wireless communications device. A detector coupled to the transmission path, detects an address of the second wireless communications device in a pairing communication protocol between the first and second devices. A counter coupled to the detector counts the pairing attempts of the second device. A compare circuit compares the pairing attempts to a selected number N. The compare circuit signals the switch to open when the number of attempts equals or exceeds the number N, breaking the connection, thereby preventing the first device from receiving virus attacks and malicious software.

Claims

1. A method of restricting access to a first wireless communication device from an unknown wireless communications device, comprising:

a) receiving at the first wireless communication device at least one pairing attempt from the unknown wireless communications device using a communication protocol for pairing;

b) determining a pairing attempt number rejected for pairing with the unknown wireless communication device by a user at the first wireless communication device; and

c) deciding to reject the pairing attempt by the unknown communications device depending on the pairing attempt number.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein earlier pairing attempts are stored in a list in order to determine the pairing attempts by the unknown user rejected by the user.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the pairing attempt number by the unknown user rejected by the user is determined by counting only pairing attempts rejected in a sequence.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the pairing attempt number is determined by counting only pairing attempts rejected during a certain period of time.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination to reject the pairing attempt is made when the pairing attempt number exceeds a threshold.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the pairing attempt number is determined individually for each unknown devices.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the pairing attempt number is determined cumulatively for all unknown devices.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

d) detecting an address of the unknown wireless communications device from the communication protocol;

e) generating a first or rejected list containing the addresses of the unknown wireless communication devices rejected for pairing by the first wireless communication device; and

f) generating a second or attempted list containing the addresses of the unknown wireless communications devices, not included in the first list, and including the number of pairings attempted by the unknown wireless communications device with the first wireless communications device.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

g) determining if the unknown wireless communications device is listed in the rejected list and terminating the pairing attempt if the unknown wireless communication device is so listed in the first or rejected list;

h) determining if the unknown wireless communications device is listed in the second or attempt list, and if so, update a count of the pairing attempts, and if not, add the unknown wireless communications device to the second or attempt list including a count indication for the pairing attempt; and

i) determining if the count of the pairing attempts is more than N pairing attempts.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

j) terminating the pairing attempt for the unknown wireless communication device if the number of pairing attempts by the unknown wireless communication device equals or exceeds the number N.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

j) adding the unknown wireless communication device to the rejected list if the number of pairing attempts by the unknown wireless communication device equals or exceeds the number N.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

d) initiating a timer after terminating a pairing attempt to place the first wireless communication device in condition for receiving another pairing attempt by an unknown wireless communication device after a selected time interval.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

d) terminating a pairing attempt by an unknown user by a user operating a reject key included in the first wireless communication device.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

j) counting the pairing attempts of the unknown wireless communications device and updating the count in the attempt list at the address listed in the attempt list for the unknown wireless communications device.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising;

k) comparing the count of the unknown wireless communications device in the attempt list to the number N, and if less than the number N accepting the pairing of the first and unknown wireless communication devices.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

h) blocking a pop up notification from appearing in a display included in the first wireless communication device when a pairing attempt is terminated.

17. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

j) updating a compare circuit in the first wireless communications device for the determination of pairing or termination of pairing from the data stored in the attempt list and the number N stored in a memory included in the first wireless communications device.

18. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

j) storing an address for each pairing attempt in the attempt list and updating a count of the pairing attempts by the respective unknown wireless communication devices included in the attempt list.

19. A device for restricting and preventing virus attack and malicious software to a wireless communication device from a pairing attempt by another wireless communications device, comprising:

a) a first wireless communications device;

b) a second and unknown wireless communications device activating a wireless communications protocol for pairing the second wireless communications device with the first wireless communications device;

c) a processor included in the first wireless communications device, the processor including at least a memory;

a pairing control circuit and software configured for;

i) determining a pairing attempt number rejected for pairing with the unknown wireless communication device by a user at the first wireless communication device; and

ii) deciding to reject the pairing attempt by the unknown communications device depending on the pairing attempt number.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the processor is further configured for:

iii) generating and storing in the memory a first or rejected list containing the addresses of the unknown wireless communication devices rejected for pairing by the first wireless communication device;

iv) generating and storing in the memory a second or attempted list containing the addresses of the unknown wireless communications devices, not included in the first list, and including a count of the number of pairings attempted by the unknown wireless communications device with the first wireless communications device; and

v) determining if the unknown wireless communications device is listed in the rejected list and terminating the pairing attempt if the unknown wireless communication device is so listed in the first or rejected list.

21. The device of claim 20 further comprising:

vi) determining if the unknown wireless communications device is listed in a second or attempt list, and if so, updating a count of the pairing attempts, and if not, adding the unknown wireless communications device to the second or attempt list including a count indication for the pairing attempt; and

vii) determining if the count of the pairing attempts exceeds more than a number N.

22. The device of claim 21 further comprising:

viii) circuit means adding the unknown wireless communication device to the rejected list if the number of pairing attempts by the unknown wireless communication device equals or exceeds the number N.

23. The device of claim 19 further comprising:

ix) a timer activated after a pairing attempt by the second wireless communications device is terminated by the first wireless communication device to place the first wireless communication device in condition for receiving another pairing attempt by an unknown wireless communication device after a selected time interval.

24. The device of claim 19 further comprising:

x) a reject key when operated terminating a pairing attempt by an unknown user.

25. The device of claim 19 further comprising:

xi) a counter counting the pairing attempts of the unknown wireless communications device and updating the count in the attempt list at the address listed in the attempt list for the unknown wireless communications device.

26. The device of claim 19 further comprising:

xii) a compare circuit comparing the count of the unknown wireless communications device in the attempt list to the number N, and if less than the number N completing the pairing of the first and unknown wireless communication devices.

27. The device of claim 19 wherein the processor is adapted to further block a pop up notification from appearing in a display included in the first wireless communication device when a pairing attempt is terminated.

28. The device of claim 26 wherein the compare circuit in the first wireless communications device is updated for the determination of pairing or termination of pairing from the data stored in the attempt list and the number N stored in a memory included in the first wireless communications device.

29. The device of claim 19 wherein the memory is adapted to store an address for each pairing attempt in the attempt list and updating a count of the pairing attempt by the respective unknown wireless communication devices included in the attempt list.

30. A system restricting and preventing virus attack and malicious software to a wireless communication device from a pairing attempt by another wireless communications device, comprising:

a) a first wireless communications device and a second wireless communications device coupled together via a transmission path, the second wireless communications device attempting to pair with the first wireless communications device, wherein the second wireless communications device is unknown to the first wireless communications device;

b) a switching device included in the transmission path;

c) a detector coupled to the transmission path and detecting an address of the second wireless communications device in a pairing communication protocol between the second and first wireless communications devices;

d) a counter coupled to the detector and counting the pairing attempts of the second wireless communications at the address identified by the detector; and

e) a compare circuit coupled to the counter, the compare circuit comparing attempts counted by the counter for the second wireless communications device at the identified address to a selected number N, the compare circuit signaling the switching device to open, breaking the coupling between the first and second wireless communications device when the attempts equal or exceed the number N, thereby preventing the first wireless communications device from receiving virus attacks and malicious software.

31. The system of claim 30 further comprising:

f) a processor responsive to the compare circuit signal to block a pop up notification from appearing in a display included in the first wireless communication device when a pairing attempt is terminated.

32. The system of claim 30 further comprising:

f) a timer coupled to the switch and activated after termination of a pairing attempt and a selected time interval to close the switch, and place the first wireless communication device in condition for receiving another pairing attempt by an unknown wireless communication device.