Altering Software Behavior Based on Internet Connectivity

• US 20100318629A1
• Filed: 06/16/2009
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Cheng, Paul, Patel, Kalpesh, Smith, Aaron J., Kao, Chih-Pin Benjamin, Sliouniaev, Valentin, Eizenhoefer, Richard S., Soulami, Tarik
• Granted Patent: US 8,433,798 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/128 involving web programs, i.e. using technology especially used in internet, generally interacting with a web browser, e.g. hypertext markup language [HTML], applets, java

Abstract

A system, a method, and computer-readable media are provided for altering behavior of software based on detection of an Internet connection. The system, method, and media detect when a computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet. This detection may include analyzing a connection history of the computer to the Internet, reporting in real-time when the computer establishes a connection to the Internet, or attempting to actively establish a connection with an Internet resource using the computer. A first set of software functionality may be disabled when a previously established connection with the Internet is identified, a real-time report of a connection with the Internet is generated, or a connection with the Internet resource is established. In addition, a second set of software functionality may be enabled when the first set of software functionality is disabled.

Claims

1. Computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed, perform a method of altering a behavior of software based on detection of an Internet connection, the method comprising:

detecting when a first computer has connected to an Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet, wherein said detecting includes at least one of;

(1) analyzing a connection history of said first computer to the Internet,

(2) reporting in real-time when said first computer establishes a connection to the Internet, or

(3) attempting to actively establish a connection with an Internet resource using said first computer; and

disabling a first set of software functionality when;

(1) a previously established connection with the Internet is identified,

(2) a real-time report of a connection with the Internet is generated, or

(3) a connection with said Internet resource is established.

2. The media of claim 1, further comprising enabling a second set of software functionality when said first set of software functionality is disabled.

3. The media of claim 2, wherein said second set of software functionality reduces the functionality of said software.

4. The media of claim 1, further comprising requiring a user to obtain licensing data to re-enable said first set of software functionality.

5. The media of claim 1, further comprising requiring said first computer to obtain licensing data within a period of time from when said first set of functionality is disabled, and when said period of time expires, disabling all software functionality on said first computer.

6. The media of claim 1, wherein detecting when said first computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet is performed without user intervention.

7. The media of claim 1, wherein detecting when a first computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet includes authenticating data that indicates a previous connection, a real-time connection, or an active connection with said Internet.

8. The media of claim 1, wherein analyzing previous connection history of said first computer to said Internet includes analyzing at least one of:

(1) a data store of a web browser stored on said first computer,

(2) a data store of an application stored on said first computer,

(3) a cache that includes connection history of said first computer to the Internet, or

(4) an event log.

9. The media of claim 1, wherein reporting in real-time when said first computer establishes a connection to the Internet includes contacting a licensing server.

10. The media of claim 1, wherein reporting in real-time when said first computer establishes a connection to the Internet includes creating a secure record of an authenticated connection to a server located on the Internet.

11. The media of claim 1, wherein attempting to establish a connection with an Internet resource includes attempting at least one of:

(1) sending a DNS query for an Internet-facing host,

(2) contacting a publisher server, or

(3) connecting to a host.

12. The media of claim 1, further comprising alerting a management system when said first set of software functionality is disabled.

13. The media of claim 1, further comprising disabling a first set of software functionality for a second computer in communication with said first computer when said first computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet.

14. A system for altering software behavior based on detection of an Internet connection, said system comprising:

a detection component configured to determine if a computer has connected to an Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet, wherein said detection component includes;

(1) a forensic-data component configured to analyze previous connection history of said computer to the Internet,

(2) a real-time component configured to report when said computer establishes a connection to the Internet, and

(3) an active-testing component configured to attempt to establish a connection with an Internet resource using said computer;

a disabling component configured to disable a first set of software functionality when said detection component detects said computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet; and

a licensing component configured to re-enable said first set of software functionality when licensing data is obtained for said computer.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said disabling component is further configured to enable a second set of software functionality when said first set of software functionality is disabled.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein at least one of said forensic-data component, said real-time component, or said active-testing component is stored remotely from said computer.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein said forensic-data component, said real-time component, or said active-testing component access other components stored on said computer to determine if said computer has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet.

18. A computer-implemented method for altering behavior of software based on detection of a connection to an Internet, said method comprising:

detecting software operating in a network environment that is connected to the Internet;

in response to said detection, instructing said software to operate in accordance with an altered functionality mode, wherein one or more functions of said software are disabled in said altered functionality mode; and

re-enabling said one or more functions of said software incident to detecting compliance with a set of rules associated with said software.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein detecting said software is operating in a network environment that is connected to the Internet includes identifying at least one computer in said network environment that has connected to the Internet or is capable of connecting to the Internet.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein detecting said software is operating in a network environment that is connected to the Internet is performed without user intervention.