Patent ID: 8667106
Filing Date: 2014-03-04
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: a user operating system processor to execute an operating system; and a guard chip coupled to the user operating system processor and to block a communication port available to the user operating system processor so as to block outgoing malware communication that originates with the operating system from being communicated from the operating system and to block incoming malware communication that originates outside the operating system from reaching the operating system, the guard chip to block access to the communication port for a time period, to identify an application that attempts to access the communication port during the time period responsive to access to the communication port being blocked, and to allow access to the communication port at an expiration of the time period; wherein a duration of the time period is defined responsive to input from a user of the apparatus turning the guard chip on and off; and wherein the guard chip and the user operating system processor are disposed on a common circuit board.