Computer security system

• US 4,707,804 A
• Filed: 02/21/1984
• Issued: 11/17/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Luis T. Leal
• Original Assignee: Luis T. Leal
• Inventors: Leal, Luis T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Application Number:
  US06/581,894
• Time in Patent Office: 1,365 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.32, 340/825.34, 340/825.5, 340/825.51, 364/200, 364/900, 364/184, 364/185, 371/14, 371/57, 379/1, 379/2, 379/8, 379/26, 379/32, 379/95, 379/137, 379/139, 379/188, 379/194, 380/33
• US Class Current: 340/5.33
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/55 Detecting local intrusion or implementing counter-measures

Abstract

A security system for preventing access to a computer by an unauthorized remote user is disclosed. A plurality of information transmission paths, such as telephone lines, are connected to a security computer. If a remote user provides an authorized access code to the security computer over one of the telephone lines, the line is connected through a switch unit to the main computer. If an unauthorized access code is provided the security computer, a signal is generated to the switch unit to disconnect all of the telephone lines from the main computer. A counter is connected to the telephone lines which generates a disconnect signal to the switch unit when the number of remote users utilizing or attempting to gain access to the main computer exceeds a predetermined maximum number. The security computer and the counter can also be connected to an alarm unit for generating an alarm indication that an unauthorized user has attempted to gain access to the main computer.

Claims

1. A security system for preventing an unauthorized user from gaining access to a main computer over one of a plurality of information transmission paths comprising:

means connected to said information transmission paths for generating a signal when the number of said paths being utilized by remote users exceeds a predetermined maximum number; and

switch means for normally connecting all of said information transmission paths to said main computer, said switch means being responsive to said signal for disconnecting all of said information transmission paths from said main computer.

2. The invention defined in claim 1 wherein said means connected to said information transmission paths includes means for counting the number of said paths being utilized by remote users.

3. A security system for preventing an unauthorized user from gaining access to a main computer utilizing an unauthorized access code over one of a plurality of information transmission paths comprising:

means connected to said information transmission paths for generating a signal when the number of said paths being utilized by remote users exceeds a predetermined maximum number;

security computer means connected to said information transmission paths and responsive to information carried thereon for generating a signal when an unauthorized access code is provided by a remote user over one of said paths; and

switch means for normally connecting all of said information transmission paths to said main computer, said switch means being responsive to one of said counter means signal and said security computer means signal for disconnecting all of said information transmission paths from said main computer.

4. The invention defined in claim 3 wherein said means connected to said information transmission paths includes a counter.

5. The invention defined in claim 4 further including an alarm unit responsive to said counter means signal and said security computer means signal for generating an alarm indication.

6. The invention defined in claim 3 further including erasable code programmer means connected to said security computer means for allowing an authorized user to change access codes.

7. In a computer system having a plurality of remote terminals adapted to communicate with a main computer over respective information transmission paths, a security system for preventing an unauthorized user from gaining access to the main computer via one of the remote terminals utilizing an unauthorized access code comprising:

first bus means connected to the plurality of information transmission paths;

counter means connected to said first bus means for generating a signal when the number of information transmission paths being utilized by remote users exceeds a predetermined maximum number;

security computer means connected to said first bus means and responsive to information carried thereon for generating a signal when an unauthorized access code is provided by a remote user;

second bus means connected to said security computer means;

switch means for normally connecting said second bus means to the main computer, said switch means being responsive to one of said counter means signal and said security computer means signal for disconnecting said second bus means from the main computer; and

alarm unit means responsive to said counter means signal and said security computer means signal for generating an alarm indication.