Securely executing an application on a computer system

Abstract

A method of and system for securely executing an application on a computer system such that a user of the computer system cannot access or view unauthorized content available on the computer system or accessible using the computer system. Such system and method may terminate any unauthorized processes detected during execution of the application, and may disable any functions of the computer system that are capable of accessing unauthorized content, including disabling any functions capable of initiating processes on the computer system. Securely executing an application may be used for any of a variety of purposes, including, among other purposes, to assist preventing students from cheating on exams, to assist preventing students from not paying attention in class, to assist preventing employees from wasting time at work, and to assist preventing children from viewing content that their parents deem inappropriate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 90 . (canceled) 
     
     
         91 . A method for securely administering a computer-based exam, the method comprising:
 a. providing a customized template for disabling operating system-level functions normally available to users of an application operating in conjunction with the operating system;   b. replacing a standard template with the customized template such that the operating-level functions are not available during administration of the computer-based exam; and   c. upon completion of the computer-based exam, restoring the standard template such that the operating system-level functions are available.   
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the operating system-level functions comprise a application functions accessed via a series of keystrokes. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 91  wherein the application functions comprise one or more of browsing a file, editing a file, saving a file, and printing a file. 
     
     
         94 . A system for securely administering a computer-based exam, the system comprising:
 a. a data storage module for storing a set of customized templates for disabling operating system-level functions normally available to users of an application operating in conjunction with the operating system; and   b. a security module for replacing a standard template with the customized template such that the operating-level functions are not available during administration of the computer-based exam and, upon completion of the computer-based exam, restoring the standard template such that the operating system-level functions are available.   
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the operating system-level functions comprise a application functions accessed via a series of keystrokes. 
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 94  wherein the application functions comprise one or more of browsing a file, editing a file, saving a file, and printing a file.