Patent ID: 8127346
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: G06F,H04L,H04N,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of detecting cloned client devices communicating over a network, comprising: creating a dynamic covert identifier which identifies a client device, the dynamic covert identifier being derived from operational events at the client device which are at least substantially unique to the usage history of the client device; receiving a first message from the client device at a server, the message containing the dynamic covert identifier; storing a version of the dynamic covert identifier at the server together with having credentials registered at the server identifying the client device; updating at least part of the previously stored dynamic covert identifier periodically at the client device based on event triggers to create an updated version of the dynamic covert identifier which includes at least one original part of the previously stored dynamic covert identifier and at least one new part which is at least partially derived from operational events at the client device which occurred after creation of a previous version of the dynamic covert identifier; receiving a subsequent message from a client device at the server, the message containing the latest updated version of the dynamic covert identifier; locating the dynamic covert identifier previously stored at the server for the client device with the same credentials as the client device from which the subsequent message is received; comparing the previously stored dynamic covert identifier with the original part of the updated version of the dynamic covert identifier received in the subsequent message; and reporting detection of a cloned client device if a match is not found; and saving the latest updated version of the dynamic covert identifier received from the client device at the server.