GB2087606A - Computer Systems - Google Patents

Computer Systems Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2087606A
GB2087606A GB8021511A GB8021511A GB2087606A GB 2087606 A GB2087606 A GB 2087606A GB 8021511 A GB8021511 A GB 8021511A GB 8021511 A GB8021511 A GB 8021511A GB 2087606 A GB2087606 A GB 2087606A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
computer
modems
protection unit
programmed
integrity protection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB8021511A
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mastiff Security Systems Ltd
Original Assignee
Mastiff Security Systems Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mastiff Security Systems Ltd filed Critical Mastiff Security Systems Ltd
Priority to GB8021511A priority Critical patent/GB2087606A/en
Priority to JP50221880A priority patent/JPS56501302A/ja
Priority to EP80901852A priority patent/EP0040198A1/en
Priority to PCT/GB1980/000156 priority patent/WO1981001063A1/en
Priority to AU63388/80A priority patent/AU6338880A/en
Priority to ES495779A priority patent/ES495779A0/en
Priority to EP80303565A priority patent/EP0027058A1/en
Priority to DK229681A priority patent/DK229681A/en
Publication of GB2087606A publication Critical patent/GB2087606A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/0008—General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
    • G07C9/20—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass
    • G07C9/28—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

This invention is an arrangement for protecting a computer system in which a central computer is connected by a common 'Bus', and a number of modems to external terminals. There is an integrity protection unit connected between the central computer, and the modems, and programmed by a control unit directed to it to recognise only codes from the modems selected by a programme. The protection unit prevents a thief when connected to the 'Bus' being able to deceive the computer.

Description

SPECIFICATION Computer Systems This invention relates to computer systems including 3 central computer connected by a common bus connection and a number of modems via a telephone network to external terminals.
In such a system, the computer identifies which particular piece of equipment is operating by calling it (or being called) with a unique code number. In this way although the computer is communicating with the common 'Bus', only the intended equipment is responding. Thus a thief when connected to the 'Bus' is able to deceive the computer which believes him to be any piece of equipment of which he chooses to transmit the code number.
An object of the invention is to improve the security of such a system.
According to the present invention, such a system is characterised by an integrity protection unit connected between the central computer and the modems and programmed by a control unit connected directly to it to recognise only codes from the modems selected by such programmes.
Further features and details of the invention will be apparent from the following description of one specific embodiment that will be given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a very greatly simplified diagram of a computer integrity protection system embodying the invention.
The invention will be described as applied to a clearing Bank office in the City and a thief with a portable computer terminal attached to a telephone line somewhere in the suburbs. The Bank computer is connected to a number of modems (devices for sending data along Post Office telephone lines) and to terminals in the building as well as cheque reading machines and the data store where bank account contents are recorded. Without the invention such a system may be liable to abuse in the following manner. A thief calls the telephone number of the Bank computer which responds by asking for identification. The thief identifies himself as a particular Branch of an acceptable Bank. He knows that the computer will not accept credit transfer without documentation, so he runs a short program to transfer cash from a nonexistant company into an account to which he has access.He now sends a code from his terminal to tell the computer that the cheque reader is "on line". The computer responds to the cheque reader which is not operating and the thief confirms that there are cheques being read and data to be transferred. The computer asks for the information and the thief sends his non-existant cheque data. The thief signs off as a chequereader and signs on as a computer terminal telling the computer that he is a maintenance engineer.
He asks the computer to find his non-existant company debit and print its location via the modem to his portable terminal. When he has the address of his cheque he tells the computer (as the engineer) to erase that particular area of memory, and the computer does so. The thief signs off as a computer terminal and signs off as a Branch Bank.
The situation now is that the thief has a sum of money credited to him and the Bank computer is not checking for an account to debit. The Bank is not short of cash, until someone checks physical cash against theoretical cash.
To reduce the danger of this in accordance with the invention, a computer integrity protection unit is connected into the computer system to confirm that a given code number is being originated, or responded to, by the correct computer component or attached equipment. This unit is wired across the computer bus and connected to a computer terminal or terminals in the building housing the computer. The protection unit would be programmed to accept instructions only from terminals connected directly to it. By programming the unit to recognise certain codes it would be able to respond if those codes appeared on the bus at a prearranged time but not otherwise. It would be possible therefore to allow say, credit transfers to take place while this is expected, but not at other times without authority through a protection unit terminal.If an attempt was made, through an unauthorised access channel, to operate the computer on certain codes, the protection unit could inform the computer of an illegal activity. A pre-programmed unit could be fitted to any piece of equipment to determine whether or not that particular item was the source of data alleged so to be. In this way one or more protection units could be fitted to a computer system to avoid fraudulent operation from without or within the computer system.
Each protection unit would contain batteries to maintain the system in the absence of power, as well as a real-time clock to enable records to be kept of codes recognised, responses made and the time and date of such occurrances.
As the protection unit is itself an intelligent micro-processor controlled device it is capable of being re-programmed at any time. The method and ability to re-program the unit would be controlled by its own permanent memory to avoid re-programming from the computer Bus.

Claims (5)

Claims
1. A computer system including a central computer connected by a common bus connection and a number of modems via a telephone network or direct lines to external terminals characterised by an integrity protection unit connected between the central computer and the modems and programmed by a control unit connected directly to it to recognise only codes from the modems selected by such programs.
2. A system as claimed in Claim 1 in which the protection unit is programmed to detect an attempt to operate the computer by an unauthorised code and give warning of illegal activity.
3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 provided with batteries to maintain the system in the absence of mains power.
4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including a real-time clock to enable timed records of events to be kept.
5. A computer system having an integrity protection unit as specifically described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB8021511A 1979-10-09 1980-07-01 Computer Systems Withdrawn GB2087606A (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8021511A GB2087606A (en) 1980-07-01 1980-07-01 Computer Systems
JP50221880A JPS56501302A (en) 1979-10-09 1980-10-07
EP80901852A EP0040198A1 (en) 1979-10-09 1980-10-07 Computer system
PCT/GB1980/000156 WO1981001063A1 (en) 1979-10-09 1980-10-07 Computer system
AU63388/80A AU6338880A (en) 1979-10-09 1980-10-07 Computer system
ES495779A ES495779A0 (en) 1979-10-09 1980-10-09 IMPROVEMENTS IN PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR TERMINALS AND-OR PERIPHERAL COMPUTER DEVICES
EP80303565A EP0027058A1 (en) 1979-10-09 1980-10-09 Computer system
DK229681A DK229681A (en) 1979-10-09 1981-05-26 PC TERMINAL

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8021511A GB2087606A (en) 1980-07-01 1980-07-01 Computer Systems

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2087606A true GB2087606A (en) 1982-05-26

Family

ID=10514443

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB8021511A Withdrawn GB2087606A (en) 1979-10-09 1980-07-01 Computer Systems

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2087606A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2181281A (en) * 1985-10-03 1987-04-15 Isolation Systems Limited Device for controlling access to computer peripherals
GB2204973A (en) * 1987-05-19 1988-11-23 Gen Electric Co Plc Data processing system
US5202997A (en) * 1985-03-10 1993-04-13 Isolation Systems Limited Device for controlling access to computer peripherals

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5202997A (en) * 1985-03-10 1993-04-13 Isolation Systems Limited Device for controlling access to computer peripherals
GB2181281A (en) * 1985-10-03 1987-04-15 Isolation Systems Limited Device for controlling access to computer peripherals
GB2181281B (en) * 1985-10-03 1989-09-13 Isolation Systems Limited Device for controlling access to computer peripherals
GB2204973A (en) * 1987-05-19 1988-11-23 Gen Electric Co Plc Data processing system
EP0292248A2 (en) * 1987-05-19 1988-11-23 THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, p.l.c. Data processing system
EP0292248A3 (en) * 1987-05-19 1990-10-31 The General Electric Company, P.L.C. Data processing system

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)