Game console system, method and computer program product with anti-malware/spyware and parental control capabilities

• US 9,833,709 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2014
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: McAfee, LLC
• Original Assignee: McAfee, LLC
• Inventors: Beechey, Mostyn J., Gartside, Paul N., Stern, Henry C.
• Primary Examiner(s): D'AGOSTINO, PAUL ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US14/508,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20150024838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5586 for enforcing rights or rules, e.g. to prevent foul play
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/50 Monitoring users, programs or devices to maintain the integrity of platforms, e.g. of processors, firmware or operating systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/56 Computer malware detection or handling, e.g. anti-virus arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2149 Restricted operating environment

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product are provided for securing a game console capable of processing game-related data. In use, the game-related data is scanned for detecting malware. Additionally, the game-related data is scanned for detecting spyware. Further, parental controls are executed during use of the game console.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

accessing a network utilizing a game console;

processing game-related data with the game console;

scanning the game-related data for at least one of malware and spyware, wherein the scanning includes an on-access scanning, the game-related data includes a subset of game-related data being processed during the on-access scanning, the on-access scanning scans data saved to a hard drive of the game console, the on-access scanning is performed in parallel with a use of the game console, and the use of the game console is defined by game play associated with the game console or downloading data to the game console from the network;

displaying a prompt for the game-related data for performing an on-demand scan, if a request for the on-demand scan is identified; and

executing parental controls during the game play utilizing the game console or accessing the game-related data utilizing the game console, wherein the parental controls block an execution of the game-related data, and the game-related data is a video game or a game application.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying the request for the on-demand scan; and

stopping the game play in response to the on-demand scan.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the game-related data is stored on a game cartridge.

4. A non-transitory, computer readable medium encoded with a computer program product that, when executed, performs a method comprising:

accessing a network utilizing a game console;

processing game-related data with the game console;

scanning the game-related data for at least one of malware and spyware, wherein the scanning includes an on-access scanning, wherein the game-related data includes a subset of game-related data being processed during the on-access scanning, the on-access scanning scans data saved to a hard drive of the game console, the on-access scanning is performed in parallel with a use of the game console, and the use of the game console is defined by game play associated with the game console or downloading data to the game console from the network;

displaying a prompt for the game-related data for performing an on-demand scan, if a request for the on-demand scan is identified; and

executing parental controls during the game play utilizing the game console or accessing the game-related data utilizing the game console, wherein the parental controls block an execution of the game-related data, and the game-related data is a video game or a game application.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 4, wherein the executing the parental controls is performed in response to a log-in to the game console.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 4, the method further comprising:

reacting based on the at least one of malware and spyware being detected during the scanning.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein the reacting includes at least one of quarantining the at least one of malware and spyware, deleting the at least one of malware and spyware within the game console, and sending an alert over a network with a notification of the at least one of malware and spyware along with a network location of the game console.

8. The computer readable medium of claim 4, the method further comprising:

executing the parental controls during the accessing the network.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the network is the Internet.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 4, wherein the scanning includes the on-demand scanning.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 4, the method further comprising:

reading the game-related data from a digital video disc (DVD).

17. The computer readable medium of claim 4, wherein the on-access scanning is performed upon the game-related data being downloaded to the game console or upon a reception of a game cartridge, a game DVD, or a memory stick by the game console.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 4, wherein the scanning scans game-related user profile information or a user score.

12. A game console, comprising:

a communication adapter that accesses a network;

a processor that processes game-related data;

a hard drive that stores the game-related data;

a graphical user interface that displays a prompt for the game-related data for performing an on-demand scan, if a request for the on-demand scan is identified; and

a scanner configured to perform an on-access scanning of the game-related data for at least one of malware and spyware, wherein the game-related data includes a subset of game-related data being processed during the on-access scanning, the on-access scanning scans data saved to the hard drive, the on-access scanning is performed in parallel with a use of the game console, and the use of the game console is defined by game play associated with the game console or downloading data to the game console from the network, wherein

the processor executes parental controls during the game play utilizing the game console or accessing the game-related data utilizing the game console, wherein the parental controls block an execution of the game-related data, and the game-related data is a video game or a game application.

13. The game console of claim 12, further comprising:

a memory that stores the video game.

14. The game console of claim 12, wherein the on-access scanning is performed upon the game-related data being downloaded to the game console or upon a reception of a game cartridge, a game DVD, or a memory stick by the game console.

15. The game console of claim 12, wherein the on-access scanning scans only the subset of the game-related data being processed during the on-access scanning.

16. The game console of claim 12, wherein a use of the game console is suspended during the on-access scanning.