Computer telephone access security processor

• US 4,604,499 A
• Filed: 02/24/1984
• Issued: 08/05/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raymond F. Hughes, Trustees of Boston University
• Original Assignee: Raymond F. Hughes
• Inventors: Hughes, Lawrence R.
• Primary Examiner(s): George, Keith E.
• Application Number:
  US06/582,392
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 179/1.5 R, 179/1.5 E, 179/2 A, 179/2 CA, 179/2 DP, 179/6.11, 179/84 C, 179/84 VF, 178/22.01, 178/22.08, 178/22.09, 340/825.48, 340/825.74
• US Class Current: 379/93.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/22 Arrangements for preventing the taking of data from a data transmission channel without authorisation means for verifying the identity or the authority of a user of a secure or secret communication system H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1441 Countermeasures against malicious traffic countermeasures against attacks on cryptographic mechanisms H04L9/002
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/205 Eavesdropping prevention - indication of insecurity of line or network
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

A "state of the art" Computer Security Processor (CSP) is disclosed to stop the "hacker" (a person who enjoys computers as a hobby) by making it virtually impossible to "break into" (a term meaning to falsely gain access to) a computer. A processor is disclosed comprising two units, a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter sends a special code over the telephone line to the receiver which recognizes a correct or a fraudulent code and then allows access to the host computer provided the code is correct. The unit uses special frequencies other than Touch Tone®, and additionally boasts a wide variety of security codes numbering 8¹⁰ power. These codes can be changed as often as desired. The unit is lightweight, small, and has a low power drain, yet is extremely effective. The transmitter is self-contained and fully portable. The receiver uses normal 120 VAC current and is also portable. Both these units can be built in small housings. The unit does not let the caller hear the modem answering tone, so a "hacker" would not even know he had called a computer. The computer is fully isolated from the caller until the CSP/Receiver recognizes a proper code. The unit will prove to be a low cost answer to a high cost problem.

Claims

1. A computer security processor comprising a transmitter unit and a receiver unit in communication with each other via a telephone system;

wherein

said transmitter unit comprises;

means for manually setting a desired code, means responsive to the setting means for generating dual frequency tone signals corresponding to the desired code, means for connecting the generating means to a telephone line for transmitting the dual frequency tone signals over the telephone system, and means for manually initiating operation of the generating and transmitting means;

said receiver unit comprises;

means for manually setting the desired code in the receiver unit, means connected to a second telephone line for receiving dual frequency tones transmitted over said telephone system and deriving a received code therefrom, means connected to the manual setting means and the receiving means for comparing the received code to the desired code, means responsive to the comparing means for recognizing a fraudulent code and disconnecting the receiving means from the second telephone line, and means responsive to the comparing means for recognizing receipt of the desired code and connecting a computer to said second telephone line; and

wherein

said dual frequency tone signals have frequencies different from dual frequency tone signals used by the telephone system for dialing purposes.