Patent ID: 8176562

Claim:
A computer implemented method for protecting the privacy of identified content on a local computer while the local computer is being accessed by a remote administrator, the method comprising the steps of: running a remote administration manager on the local computer, wherein the remote administration manager is operable to automatically traverse the local computer and identify specific local computer content to which access is to be restricted in accordance with a privacy policy for the local computer, the local privacy policy being configurable by a user of the local computer; identifying, by the remote administration manager running on the local computer, the a locally configured privacy policy for the local computer, the privacy policy specifying at least one restrictive access level to prevent at least one remote administrator with administrator level access to the local computer from accessing specific local file system content during remote administration sessions; during at least one remote administration session by the at least one remote administrator with administrator level access to the local computer, detecting, by the remote administration manager, an attempt by the at least one remote administrator to access the specific local file system content; and preventing, by the remote administration manager, the detected attempt by the at least one remote administrator to access the specific local file system content, thereby enforcing the local privacy policy.