Patent ID: 8626139

Claim:
A method for use by a mobile device in controlling connections attempted by the mobile device, the mobile device including a user interface and a connection controller configured to control the connections attempted by the mobile device, the method comprising: identifying, by the connection controller of the mobile device, a connection request from a software application executable on the mobile device, the connection request being for an attempt to open a communication connection for the software application between the mobile device and a remote device; causing, by the connection controller, a prompt to be displayed in the user interface of the mobile device, the prompt being for user input for selecting whether the connection request from the software application is to be allowed; in response to receiving user input indicating that the connection request from the software application is to be allowed, authorizing by the connection controller the attempt to open the communication connection, opening the communication connection, and allowing the mobile device to obtain data from the remote device over the opened communication connection; and in response to receiving user input indicating that the connection request from the software application is not to be allowed, denying by the connection controller the connection request for the attempt to open the communication connection.