Method and apparatus for handling files containing confidential or sensitive information
First Claim
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1. In a data processing system in which a user application accesses files managed by an operating system that includes a file access control module, a method for managing file access requests, the method comprising:
- receiving at an operating system file manager, a request from said user application to access a file;
responsive to receiving said file access request, utilizing said operating system file access control module to determine whether a confidentiality attribute has been set for the file and a type of file access being requested;
responsive to determining that the confidentiality attribute is set, determining whether the type of file access being requested is one of a plurality of pre-specified access types; and
responsive to determining that the type of file access being requested is one of the plurality of pre-specified access types, processing the file access request using pre-specified confidentiality protection procedures associated with the one of the plurality of pre-specified access types.
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Abstract
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing files in a data processing system. An attribute for a file is specified as having a special designation. The file with the attribute having the special designation is processed, by the operating system, in a different manner from other files when performing operations, such as, for example, copying the file to a removable media, printing the file, or sending the file over a network.
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4 Claims
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1. In a data processing system in which a user application accesses files managed by an operating system that includes a file access control module, a method for managing file access requests, the method comprising:
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receiving at an operating system file manager, a request from said user application to access a file; responsive to receiving said file access request, utilizing said operating system file access control module to determine whether a confidentiality attribute has been set for the file and a type of file access being requested; responsive to determining that the confidentiality attribute is set, determining whether the type of file access being requested is one of a plurality of pre-specified access types; and responsive to determining that the type of file access being requested is one of the plurality of pre-specified access types, processing the file access request using pre-specified confidentiality protection procedures associated with the one of the plurality of pre-specified access types. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification