Secure password sharing for wireless networks

Abstract

This application relates to a computing device that can be configured to implement a method for enabling a nearby computing device to access a wireless network by carrying out the techniques described herein. In particular, the method can include the steps of (1) receiving a request from the nearby computing device to access the wireless network, where the request includes user information associated with the nearby computing device, (2) presenting a notification associated with the request in response to determining, based on the user information, that the nearby computing device is recognized by the computing device, and (3) in response to receiving an approval for the nearby computing device to access the wireless network: providing, to the nearby computing device, a password for accessing the wireless network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for enabling a nearby computing device to access a wireless hotspot provided by a computing device, the method comprising, at the computing device:
 receiving a cryptographic request from the nearby computing device to access the wireless hotspot, wherein the cryptographic request includes user information associated with the nearby computing device;   determining, based on the cryptographic request, that the nearby computing device satisfies a proximity threshold relative to the computing device;   determining that the nearby computing device is recognized by the computing device by identifying the user information included in the cryptographic request;   receiving an approval for the nearby computing device to access the wireless hotspot; and   providing, to the nearby computing device, a password for accessing the wireless hotspot.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the cryptographic request is associated with a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) that is established by a wireless communications component of the computing device, and   the proximity threshold is satisfied when the RSSI is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to receiving the approval:
 presenting a notification that the nearby computing device is requesting to access the wireless hotspot, wherein the approval corresponds to a selection provided by way of a user interface in which the notification is displayed.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the password is in a format that renders the nearby computing device incapable of accessing the wireless hotspot after a threshold period of time is satisfied. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the password comprises a pre-shared key (PSK) for a WiFi Protected Access (WPA) network or a WiFi Protected Access II (WPA2) network. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying the user information comprises:
 comparing the user information to prior user information provided by the nearby computing device that is stored at the computing device.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises, prior to providing password to the nearby computing device:
 establishing a secure communication link with the nearby computing device to enable the computing device to provide the password to the nearby computing device in a secure manner.   
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by at least one processor included in a computing device, cause the computing device to enable a nearby computing device to access a wireless hotspot provided by the computing device, by carrying out steps that include:
 receiving a cryptographic request from the nearby computing device to access the wireless hotspot, wherein the cryptographic request includes user information associated with the nearby computing device;   determining, based on the cryptographic request, that the nearby computing device satisfies a proximity threshold relative to the computing device;   determining that the nearby computing device is recognized by the computing device by identifying the user information included in the cryptographic request;   receiving an approval for the nearby computing device to access the wireless hotspot; and   providing, to the nearby computing device, a password for accessing the wireless hotspot.   
     
     
         9 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the cryptographic request is associated with a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) that is established by a wireless communications component of the computing device, and   the proximity threshold is satisfied when the RSSI is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.   
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the steps further include, prior to receiving the approval:
 presenting a notification that the nearby computing device is requesting to access the wireless hotspot, wherein the approval corresponds to a selection provided by way of a user interface in which the notification is displayed.   
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the password is in a format that renders the nearby computing device incapable of accessing the wireless hotspot after a threshold period of time is satisfied. 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 11 , wherein the password comprises a pre-shared key (PSK) for a WiFi Protected Access (WPA) network or a WiFi Protected Access II (WPA2) network. 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein identifying the user information comprises:
 comparing the user information to prior user information provided by the nearby computing device that is stored at the computing device.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises, prior to providing password to the nearby computing device:
 establishing a secure communication link with the nearby computing device to enable the computing device to provide the password to the nearby computing device in a secure manner.   
     
     
         15 . A computing device configured to enable a nearby computing device to access a wireless hotspot provided by the computing device, the computing device comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computing device to carry out steps that include:
 receiving a cryptographic request from the nearby computing device to access the wireless hotspot, wherein the cryptographic request includes user information associated with the nearby computing device; 
 determining, based on the cryptographic request, that the nearby computing device satisfies a proximity threshold relative to the computing device; 
 determining that the nearby computing device is recognized by the computing device by identifying the user information included in the cryptographic request; 
 receiving an approval for the nearby computing device to access the wireless hotspot; and 
 providing, to the nearby computing device, a password for accessing the wireless hotspot. 
   
     
     
         16 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the cryptographic request is associated with a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) that is established by a wireless communications component of the computing device, and   the proximity threshold is satisfied when the RSSI is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.   
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the steps further include, prior to receiving the approval:
 presenting a notification that the nearby computing device is requesting to access the wireless hotspot, wherein the approval corresponds to a selection provided by way of a user interface in which the notification is displayed.   
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein the password is in a format that renders the nearby computing device incapable of accessing the wireless hotspot after a threshold period of time is satisfied. 
     
     
         19 . The computing device of  claim 18 , wherein the password comprises a pre-shared key (PSK) for a WiFi Protected Access (WPA) network or a WiFi Protected Access II (WPA2) network. 
     
     
         20 . The computing device of  claim 15 , wherein identifying the user information comprises: comparing the user information to prior user information provided by the nearby computing device that is stored at the computing device.