Security methods and systems

Abstract

A system/method for preventing a computer virus from accessing message addresses is described. The system comprises an interception component or client plug-in that communicates with a messaging client and a messaging server. The interception component alters messages from the server and destined for the client. The interception component replaces message addresses in incoming messages with a unique identifier. The interception component also alters messages from the client destined for the server. The interception component replaces a unique identifier with a message addresses. A system/method for preventing keyboard sniffer programs from intercepting input, a system for preventing a computer virus from activating a send confirmation of a messaging client and a method for altering displayed objects to show encrypted data in decrypted form are also described and claimed. A system/method for reducing the impact of keyboard sniffer programs by altering keyboard input.

1 . A system for preventing keyboard sniffer programs from intercepting input via a keyboard comprising:
 a keyboard driver for receiving an input keystroke from a keyboard,   memory for storing the input keystroke,   a filter driver for generating a replacement keystroke upon receiving the input keystroke to pass to an application, and   a protection library for receiving the input keystroke from the memory for passing to the application.   
     
     
         2 . A method of preventing keyboard sniffer programs from intercepting input via a keyboard including the steps of
 receiving an input keystroke from a keyboard,   storing the input keystroke in memory,   in a kernel, generating a replacement keystroke for passing to an application,   in an application, receiving the replacement keystroke and also receiving the input keystroke from the memory for use.   
     
     
         3 . A system for preventing keyboard sniffer programs from intercepting input via a keyboard comprising:
 a keyboard driver for receiving an input keystroke from a keyboard,   memory for storing the input keystroke,   a filter driver for generating a replacement keystroke upon receiving the input keystroke to pass to an application,   a protection library for generating random keystroke(s) for combining with the replacement keystroke,   wherein the protection library receives the input keystroke from the memory.   
     
     
         4 . A method of preventing keyboard sniffer programs from intercepting input via a keyboard including the steps of:
 receiving an input keystroke from a keyboard,   storing the input keystroke in memory,   in a kernel, generating a replacement keystroke for passing to an application, in protection library generating random keystroke(s) for combing with the replacement keystroke, and retrieving the input keystroke from the memory for use.   receiving the input character from the memory for use.   
     
     
         5 . A system for preventing keyboard sniffer programs from intercepting input via a keyboard comprising:
 a protection library for receiving an input keystroke from a keyboard, the library not passing the input keystroke to an application input and diverting the input keystroke to memory,   memory for storing the input keystroke,   wherein the protection library generates one or more random keystrokes for passing to the application input, and the protection library utilises the input keystroke from memory.   
     
     
         6 . A method of preventing keyboard sniffer programs from intercepting input via a keyboard including the steps of
 receiving an input keystroke from a keyboard and storing the input keystroke to memory, the input keystroke not being passed to an application input,   in a protection library, generating a random keystroke for passing to the application input,   via the protection library, using the input keystroke from the memory for use.   
     
     
         7 . A system for preventing keyboard sniffer programs from intercepting input via a keyboard comprising:
 a subsystem hook coupled to receive an input keystroke from a keyboard the subsystem hook adapted to generate a replacement keystroke using a function for passing to an application,   a protection library for generating random keystroke(s) for passing to the application in combination with the replacement keystroke,   wherein the protection library is adapted with an inverse function to regenerate the key stroke from the replacement keystroke and knowledge of the random keystroke(s)   
     
     
         8 . A method of preventing keyboard sniffer programs from intercepting input via a keyboard including the steps of:
 receiving an input keystroke from a keyboard,   in a subsystem hook, generating a replacement keystroke for passing to an application, the alternative character being generated periodically and upon keyboard input using a function,   regenerating the input character from using an inverse function.