Security system based on input shortcuts for a computer device

Abstract

A method of activating security functions on a computer device, for example a mobile communications device. The computer device includes a device state that may be realized by way of a first user input or a second user input. The method includes designating the first user input to realize the device state as a security rule having an associated security function, detecting realization of the device state, and activating the associated security function if the device state was realized by way of the second user input rather than the first user input. For example, the first user input may be a shortcut input, and the second user input may be a conventional or normal input.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of activating a security function on a device, the method comprising:
 detecting a device state after receiving a user input;   comparing the received user input to at least one user input specified by a security rule associated with the device state; and   if the comparing indicates the security rule is breached, activating the security function,
 the security function comprising a honeypot mode in which an interface is presented on the device that does not permit unauthorized use of information or a resource on the device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received user input is one of a conventional user input or a shortcut user input, and the at least one user input specified by the security rule is one other of the conventional user input or the shortcut user input. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security rule is breached if the received user input is not the at least one user input specified by the security rule associated with the device state. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received user input is a keyboard input shortcut for activating an application program executable on the device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the security function comprises at least one of: locking a present application, locking the device, logging device operations, or deleting stored information. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting a message over a communications network to a remote entity if the security rule is breached. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising temporarily buffering input received via a user input interface, and wherein comparing the received user input comprises reading the buffered input to detect the received user input. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the received user input is received via at least one of: a keyboard, touchscreen, keypad, trackwheel, trackball, or mouse. 
     
     
         9 . A device, comprising:
 a processor and a memory;   a user input interface for receiving user input; and   a display;   the processor configured to execute instructions of one or more application modules, the execution of the one or more application modules causing the processor to:
 detect a device state after receiving a user input, 
 compare the received user input to at least one user input specified by a security rule associated with the device state, and 
 if the comparing indicates the security rule is breached, activate the security function,
 the security function comprising a honeypot mode in which a honeypot interface is displayed on the display, the honeypot interface preventing unauthorized use of information or a resource on the device. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the received user input is one of a conventional user input or a shortcut user input, and the at least one user input specified by the security rule is one other of the conventional user input or the shortcut user input. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the security rule is breached if the received user input is not the at least one user input specified by the security rule associated with the device state. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising an operating system and a software application system, wherein the operating system is configured to activate the security function. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the user input interface includes a user-configurable options interface for receiving user input selecting any one of the received user input or the security function. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the user input interface comprises at least one of: a keyboard, touchscreen, keypad, trackwheel, trackball, or mouse. 
     
     
         15 . A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a device, cause the device to activate a security function, the instructions comprising:
 instructions for detecting a device state after receiving a user input;   instructions for comparing the received user input to at least one user input specified by a security rule associated with the device state; and   instructions for activating the security function if the comparing indicates the security rule is breached,
 the security function comprising a honeypot mode in which an interface is presented on the device that does not permit unauthorized use of information or a resource on the device. 
   
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the received user input is one of a conventional user input or a shortcut user input, and the at least one user input specified by the security rule is one other of the conventional user input or the shortcut user input. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the security rule is breached if the received user input is not the at least one user input specified by a security rule associated with the device state. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions for activating the security function comprise at least one of: instructions for locking a present application, instructions for locking the device, instructions for logging device operations, or instructions for deleting stored information. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , further comprising instructions for transmitting a message over a communications network to a remote entity if the security rule is breached. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , further comprising instructions for temporarily buffering input received via a user input interface, and wherein the instructions for comparing the received user input comprise instructions for reading the buffered input to detect the received user input.