Apparatus and method for preventing eavesdropping

• US 8,286,233 B1
• Filed: 03/19/2005
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arlington Technologies, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Inventors: Boland, Simon, Yee-Hang Choy, Jonathan R., McNamara, Paul Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wright, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US11/084,583
• Time in Patent Office: 2,761 Days
• Field of Search: 726/25
• US Class Current: 726/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors

Abstract

A method and apparatus prevent eavesdropping via a computer by detecting and alerting if more than one authorized driver is controlling a interface circuit that is providing audio or video input information. Further, prevention is performed by detecting and alerting if more than one authorized application programming interface is receiving audio or video input information from an authorized driver. Also, prevention is performed by detecting and alerting if more than one authorized software application is receiving audio or video input information from an authorized driver. In addition, prevention is performed by detecting and alerting upon first receipt of audio or visual information by an authorized software application via an authorized application programming interface and authorized driver.

Claims

1. A method for preventing eavesdropping via by a detector module executing on a computer, comprising:

establishing by the computer detector module that a interface circuit interconnected to a device is providing at least one of audio or visual input information is active;

further establishing by the computer detector module that only one driver is controlling the interface circuit and is authorized to control the interface circuit;

alerting by the computer detector module if more than one authorized driver is controlling the interface circuit and;

further alerting by the computer detector module if the driver controlling the interface circuit is unauthorized.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the alerting further comprises allowing a user to terminate the unauthorized driver.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprises determining if an unauthorized software routine is receiving the input information from the authorized driver that is receiving the input information;

and the alerting further alerting if the unauthorized software routine is receiving the input information.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the alerting further comprises allowing a user to terminate the unauthorized software routine.

3. A method for preventing eavesdropping via by a detector module executing on a computer, comprising:

detecting by the computer detector module a use of at least one of audio or visual input information by a software entity;

determining by the computer detector module if no more than one authorized application programming interfaces are receiving the input information from an authorized driver that is receiving the input information; and

alerting by the computer detector module if more than one authorized application programming interfaces are receiving the input information.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the determining further comprises determining if an unauthorized application programming interface is receiving the input information from the authorized driver that is receiving the input information;

and the alerting further alerting if the unauthorized application programming interface is receiving the input information.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the alerting further comprises allowing a user to terminate the unauthorized application programming interface.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for preventing eavesdropping via by a detector module executing on a computer, comprising computer-executable instructions executed by the computer detector module configured for:

establishing that a interface circuit interconnected to a device is providing at least one of audio or visual input information is active;

further establishing that only one driver is controlling the interface circuit and is authorized to control the interface circuit;

alerting if more than one authorized driver is controlling the interface circuit and;

further alerting if the driver controlling the interface circuit is unauthorized.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for preventing eavesdropping via by a detector module executing on a computer, comprising computer-executable instructions executed by the computer detector module configured for:

detecting a use of at least one of audio or visual input information by a software entity;

determining if no more than one authorized application programming interfaces are receiving the input information from an authorized driver that is receiving the input information and alerting if more than one authorized application programming interfaces are receiving the input information.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 wherein the computer-executable instructions for determining further determining if an unauthorized application programming interface is receiving the input information from the authorized driver that is receiving the input information;

and the computer-executable instructions for alerting further alerting if the unauthorized application programming interface is receiving the input information.