System for securing a computer

• US 5,896,497 A
• Filed: 08/07/1996
• Issued: 04/20/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Absolute Software Corporation, Computer Sentry Software, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Computer Sentry Software, Inc.
• Inventors: Halstead, William D.
• Primary Examiner(s): HUA, LY
• Application Number:
  US08/691,025
• Time in Patent Office: 986 Days
• Field of Search: 395/186, 395/187.01, 395/188.01, 380/25, 380/4, 380/23, 340/825.34, 340/825
• US Class Current: 726/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/313 using a call-back technique via a telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/88 Detecting or preventing theft or loss
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1416 Event detection, e.g. attack signature detection

Abstract

The present invention discloses a system and method for securing a computer. This system detects an event such as said number of key strokes or a mouse click. This systems reads for the presence or absence of an unprompted password prior to detecting the event. If the proper password is provided, the system is deactivated. If the appropriate password is not provided, a monitoring computer is notified of the unauthorized use of the protected computer. In notifying a monitoring computer, the system turns off the speaker of the modem so that the monitoring computer can be notified without alerting the unauthorized user. When the proper password is not provided, the system also notifies the monitoring computer so that the monitoring computer can check the unique identifying number of the protected computer. The location of that protected computer can then be traced. Therefore, if the protected computer is lost or stolen, the location can be communicated to an individual, such as the protected computer'"'"'s owner, in a very short period of time to allow recovery of the protected computer. Additionally, the monitoring computer also notifies an individual, such as the computer'"'"'s owner, of the unauthorized use of the protected computer. Also, the system, if the proper password is not provided, prevents the transmission of data via the modem.

Claims

1. A method of securing a computer comprising:

a. detecting an event;

b. reading a presence or an absence of a password prior to detecting said event; and

c. notifying a monitoring computer after reading the absence of said password.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of reading of a presence or an absence of a password occurs without a prompt by said computer.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of blocking a communication port of said computer in said absence of said password.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said monitoring computer is notified using a modem.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of silencing a speaker of a modem prior to notifying said monitoring computer.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of checking a unique identifying number of said computer by said monitoring computer.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of reporting by the protected computer said absence of said password to said monitoring computer.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of warning an individual of said absence of said password by said monitoring computer.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of tracing the location of said protected computer.

10. A system for securing a computer having a modem comprising:

a. a transmitting or protected computer which reads a presence or an absence of a password prior to detecting an event,

said transmitting or protected computer functions normally after reading the presence of said password, and

b. a monitoring computer receiving information from said protected or transmitting computer after said protected computer reads the absence of said password.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said protected computer reads said password without a prompt by said computer.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said protected computer blocks a communication port of said computer in said absence of said password.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein said monitoring computer is notified using a modem.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein said protected computer silences a speaker of said modem prior to notifying said monitoring computer.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein said monitoring computer checks a unique identifying number of said protected computer.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein said protected computer notifies said absence of said password to said monitoring computer.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said monitoring computer warns an individual of the unauthorized use of said protected computer.

18. The system of claim 10 wherein said monitoring computer traces the location of said protected computer.

19. A system for securing information comprising:

a. a monitoring computer;

b. a transmitting or protected computer containing said information, said protected computer preventing transmission of data without the necessary password, said protected computer communicating with said monitoring computer when said password is not provided; and

c. said monitoring computer notifying an owner of said protected computer of unauthorized use of the protected computer.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said monitoring computer traces the location of said protected computer in the absence of said password.