Computer system security method and apparatus having program authorization information data structures
INFORMATION PROTECTION AND AUTHENTICATION OF TEXAS, LLCThe holder of the '717 patent has sued Microsoft, Symantec, CA, F-Secure, McAfee, Kaspersky, Sophos, Novell, and PC Tools for infringing this patent.
Summary / Description
| Summary / Description | A computer based function control system is particularly suited for use as a software security device on the highly popular personal computers or a micro-processor driven function. The system includes an encrypted security message uniquely encoded at predetermined locations within the software or function program. |
Basic Information
| Type of Prior Art | Issued Patents - US |
| Country | United States of America |
| Patent/Application # | 4864494 |
| Kind Code | United States (US) - United STATES Patent - A |
| Patentee Name | Computerized Data Systems for Mfg., Inc. |
| Relevant Pages, Columns, or Lines | col. 4, ln 13-40 |
| URL | http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/... |
| Publication Date | March 21, 1986 |
| Additional Information | The publication date given is actually the filing date. |
Notes / To Do
| Notes | |
Excerpt
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention a system for insuring operation of a computer software program by only an authorized user includes a separate security key which has an encryption and decryption circuit encoded in it for encrypting and decrypting an encrypted security message inserted into the software program. The key is connected to a computer operating the software to permit transfer of data signals from the computer to the key and back from the key to the computer. Circuitry is provided in the key for recognizing predetermined ones of security message portions in the software program and in response to such recognition for modifying such portions and for supplying the modified portions from the key back to the computer whereupon the computer generates new predetermined encrypted security message portions for storage in the software as replacements for the original security message portions. These replacement portions then are subsequently utilized in ongoing operation of the software to generate further replacements on a continuous basis. At random intervals, or quasi-random intervals determined by the key, comparisons are made of the security message portions which are stored in the software with the message portions supplied to the key. If the comparison is valid, the computer program is permitted to continue to operate error free. If the comparison is invalid, the program with unnulled pre-set errors in it is executed to cause failure of operation.
Relevance
Claims
Claim 120
In a digital computer system having digital data processing means for executing a plurality of digital computer programs for a computer user and memory means for storing digital program instructions and digital data, a method for providing improved computer security comprising the steps of:
a) storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from accessing resources when executed by said digital data processing means which are accessible to said computer user; and
b) storing in at least one segment, digital data for associating said authorization information with at least one program to be executed by said processing means for said computer user.
Relevance
a) storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from accessing resources when executed by said digital data processing means which are accessible to said computer user
a) storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from accessing resources when executed by said digital data processing means which are accessible to said computer user
Claim Chart
All
Claim 61
In a digital computer system for providing improved computer security having digital data processing means for executing a plurality of digital computer programs for a computer user and memory means for storing digital program instructions and digital data, apparatus for protecting a digital computer user from operations typically performable by a digital computer program executing on behalf of a user comprising:
a) means for storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from performing operations, when executed by said processing means, which are available to said computer user; and
b) means for storing in at least one segment digital data for associating said authorization information with at least one program to be executed by said processing means.
Relevance
a) means for storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from performing operations, when executed by said processing means, which are available to said computer user
a) means for storing digital authorization information in said memory means which restricts an associated program from performing operations, when executed by said processing means, which are available to said computer user
Claim Chart
All
Claim 1
In a digital computer system having a digital data processing means for executing a plurality of digital programs and a memory means for storing digital program instructions and digital data, apparatus for protecting a digital computer user from operations typically performable by a digital computer program executing on behalf of a user comprising:
a) means for storing a plurality of digital authorization entries in said memory means, wherein said entries qualify operations which an associated program is permitted to perform when executed by said processing means; and
b) means for storing in at least one segment, digital data for associating said authorization entries with at least one program.
Relevance
a) means for storing a plurality of digital authorization entries in said memory means, wherein said entries qualify operations which an associated program is permitted to perform when executed by said processing means
a) means for storing a plurality of digital authorization entries in said memory means, wherein said entries qualify operations which an associated program is permitted to perform when executed by said processing means
Claim Chart
All
