Network-enhanced control of software updates received via removable computer-readable medium

• US 8,671,402 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2010
• Issued: 03/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Original Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Inventors: McCurdy, Daniel, McGraw, William Harrison IV, Ewington, Craig Leslie
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsai, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shyu, Jing-Yih
• Application Number:
  US12/731,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20110113417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,447 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 717/170
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for network enhanced controls of software updates received via a computer-readable medium are described. A request for identification information of an image version may be sent from a first computer to a second computer. The first computer may receive identification information of the image version. The first computer may determine whether data representing the image version is stored on a removable computer-readable storage medium. Responsive to determining that data representing the image version is stored on the removable computer-readable storage medium, the first computer may load the data representing the image version from the removable computer-readable storage medium.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

coupling to a first computer a removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein said removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is already storing data representing images at a time of an initial coupling;

sending, from the first computer to a second computer, an identification information of the first computer and a request for identification information of an authorized image version the first computer is authorized to maintain;

receiving, at the first computer from the second computer, identification information of the authorized image version;

determining, by the first computer, whether said data already stored by the removable non-transitory computer-readable medium at the time of the initial coupling includes the authorized image version;

preventing any data representing an unauthorized image version to be loaded by the first computer from the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium;

responsive to the first computer determining that said data stored by the removable non-transitory computer-readable medium includes the authorized image version, loading, by the first computer, the data representing the authorized image version from the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to a logically protected region of the first computer; and

responsive to determining that no data representing the authorized image version is stored on the non-transitory removable computer-readable storage medium, outputting data indicating that no data representing the image version exists on the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending includes sending a serial number of the first computer.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending includes sending an internet protocol (IP) address of the first computer.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying, at the first computer, connection of the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to the first computer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprises the image version.

6. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to:

detect a coupling to the first computer of a removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is already storing data at a time of said detecting;

send, from a first computer to a second computer, a request for identification information of an authorized image version;

receive, at the first computer, identification information of the authorized image version;

determine, by the first computer, whether said data stored by the removable non-transitory computer-readable medium represents the authorized image version;

prevent any data representing an unauthorized image version to be loaded by the first computer from the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium;

responsive to determining that said data stored by the removable non-transitory computer-readable medium represents the authorized image version, load, by the first computer, the data representing the authorized image version from the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to a logically protected region of the first computer; and

responsive to determining that no data representing the authorized image version is stored on the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, outputting the computer outputs data indicating that no data representing the authorized image version exists on the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

7. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 6, wherein the sending includes a serial number of the first computer.

8. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 6, wherein the sending includes an internet protocol (IP) address of the first computer.

9. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

detect a coupling to the apparatus of a removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is already storing data at a time of said detecting;

send, from the apparatus to a server, an identification of the apparatus and a request for identification information of an authorized image version the apparatus is authorized to maintain

receive, at the apparatus, identification information of the authorized image version the apparatus is authorized to maintain;

determine whether said data represents the authorized image version;

prevent any data representing an unauthorized image version to be loaded by the apparatus first computer from the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium;

responsive to determining that said data stored by the removable non-transitory computer-readable medium represents the authorized image version, loads the data representing the authorized image version from the removable computer-readable storage medium to the apparatus; and

responsive to determining that no data representing the authorized image version is stored on the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, outputting the apparatus outputs data indicating that no data representing the authorized image version exists on the removable non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus sends identification information of the apparatus to said another apparatus.