Patent ID: 7716727

Claim:
A network security module for protecting a computing device from a security threat on a network, the network security module comprising: a computing device connection connecting the network security module to the computing device; a network connection connecting the network security module to the network; a network security module memory for storing security information for protecting the computing device; a network security module processor; and a security enforcement module that implements a temporary security patch stored in the network security module memory on the network security module using the network security module processor for both protecting the computing device from a security threat on the network and enabling the computing device to operate without enforcing the requisite protective security measures that would otherwise need to be implemented, wherein through implementation of the temporary security patch on the network security module itself prior to a corresponding security patch being installed on the computing device, the security enforcement module acts as an extension and/or acts as a modification of the functionality of the computing device such that the network security module itself provides at least some of the functionality that the corresponding security patch for installation on the computing device is configured to provide; wherein the network security module is interposed between the computing device and the network such that all network activities between the computing device and the network pass through the network security module.