Method and Apparatus for Enhancing Information Security in a Computer System

• US 20090064316A1
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Inventors: Lin, Mei-Chen, Liao, Wen-Hsin
• Application Number:
  US11/927,595
• Publication Number:
  US 20090064316A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/18
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/575 Secure boot

Abstract

A method of enhancing information security in a computer system comprises receiving an input signal, reading a starting password, comparing the input signal with the starting password for generating a comparison result, and controlling an operating status of a basic input and output system of the computer system according to the comparison result.

Claims

1. A method of enhancing information security in a computer system comprising:

receiving an input signal;

reading a starting password;

comparing the input signal with the starting password for generating a comparison result; and

controlling an operating status of a basic input and output system (BIOS) of the computer system according to the comparison result.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling the operating status of the BIOS of the computer system according to the comparison result is controlling the BIOS to perform a boot process when the comparison result indicates that the input signal conforms to the starting password, and to perform a shutdown process when the comparison result indicates that the input signal does not conform to the starting password.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising counting times of the situation that the input signal does not conform to the starting password, and outputting an alarm signal when the counted times is greater than a default value.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising recording information of the comparison result when the comparison result indicates that the input signal does not conform to the starting password.

5. An electronic device for enhancing information security in a computer system comprising:

a reception unit for receiving an input signal;

a reading unit for reading a starting password;

a comparison unit coupled to the reception unit and the reading unit, for comparing the input signal with the starting password for generating a comparison result; and

a control unit coupled to the comparison unit and a basic input and output system (BIOS) of the computer system, for controlling an operating status of the BIOS according to the comparison result.

6. The electronic device of claim 5, wherein the control unit is utilized for controlling the BIOS to perform a boot process when the comparison result indicates that the input signal conforms to the starting password, and to perform a shutdown process when the comparison result indicates that the input signal does not conform to the starting password.

7. The electronic device of claim 5 further comprising:

a counting unit coupled to the comparison unit, for counting times of the situation that the input signal does not conform to the starting password, and

an alarm unit coupled to the counting unit, for outputting an alarm signal when the counted times is greater than a default value.

8. The electronic device of claim 5 further comprising:

a memory coupled to the comparison unit, for recording information of the comparison result when the comparison result indicates that the input signal does not conform to the starting password.

9. The electronic device of claim 5 being embedded in a keyboard controller of the computer system.

10. A method of enhancing information security in a computer system comprising:

receiving a power-on signal;

determining a security level of the computer system after receiving the power-on signal;

outputting an indication signal according to the security level of the computer system;

receiving an input signal after outputting the indication signal;

reading a starting password;

comparing the input signal with the starting password for generating a comparison result; and

controlling an operating status of a basic input and output system (BIOS) of the computer system according to the comparison result and the security level of the computer system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving the power-on signal is performed by a power switch of the computer system.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein outputting the indication signal according to the security level of the computer system is outputting the indication signal for indicating a message of password protection when the computer system is protected by the starting password.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein controlling the operating status of the BIOS of the computer system according to the comparison result and the security level of the computer system is controlling the BIOS to perform a boot process when the computer system is protected by the starting password and the comparison result indicates that the input signal conforms to the starting password, and to perform a shutdown process when the computer system is protected by the starting password and the comparison result indicates that the input signal does not conform to the starting password.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein controlling the operating status of the BIOS of the computer system according to the comparison result and the security level of the computer system is controlling the BIOS to perform a boot process when the computer system is not protected by the starting password.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising counting times of the situation that the input signal does not conform to the starting password, and outputting an alarm signal when the counted times is greater than a default value.

16. The method of claim 10 further comprising recording information of the comparison result when the comparison result indicates that the input signal does not conform to the starting password.

17. An electronic device for enhancing information security in a computer system comprising:

a first reception unit for receiving a power-on signal;

a security level decision unit for determining a security level of the computer system after the first reception unit receives the power-on signal;

an output unit coupled to the security level decision unit, for outputting an indication signal according to the security level of the computer system;

a second reception unit for receiving an input signal after the output unit outputs the indication signal;

a reading unit for reading a starting password;

a comparison unit coupled to the second unit and the reading unit, for comparing the input signal with the starting password for generating a comparison result; and

a control unit coupled to the security level decision unit, the comparison unit, and a basic input and output system (BIOS)of the computer system, for controlling an operating status of the BIOS according to the comparison unit and the security level of the computer system.

18. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the first reception unit is coupled to a power switch of the computer system.

19. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the output unit outputs the indication signal for indicating a message of password protection when the computer system is protected by the starting password.

20. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the control unit controls the BIOS to perform a power-on process when the computer system is protected by the starting password and the comparison result indicates that the input signal conforms to the starting password, and to perform a shutdown process when the computer system is protected by the starting password and the comparison result indicates that the input signal does not conform to the starting password.

21. The electronic device of claim 17, wherein the control unit controls the BIOS to perform a power-on process when the computer system is not protected by the starting password.

22. The electronic device of claim 17 further comprising:

a counting unit coupled to the comparison unit, for counting times of the situation that the input signal does not conform to the starting password; and

an output unit coupled to the counting unit, for outputting an alarm signal when the counted times is greater than a default value.

23. The electronic device of claim 17 further comprising:

a memory coupled to the comparison unit, for recording information of the comparison result when the comparison result indicates that the input signal does not conform to the starting password.

24. The electronic device of claim 17 being embedded in a keyboard controller of the computer system.