Method and apparatus for minimizing network vulnerability

A method of controlling access to a network comprising the step of:

• receiving at an integrated circuit signals from one or more peripheral devices and transmitting the received signals a computer;
• connecting via a switch first and second data connections when said switch is in a first position;
• disconnecting via the switch the first and second data connections when the switch is in a second position;
• and
• counting a time period since the last transmission of signals from the one or more peripheral devices, wherein when the time period since the last transmission of signals exceeds a predetermined time period the integrated circuit causes the switch to change from the first position to the second position.

A system comprising:

• a computer,
• an apparatus for controlling communication between the computer and a computer network, the apparatus including,
• an integrated circuit receiving signals from one or more peripheral devices and transmitting the received signals to the computer;
• a first data connection for connecting the computer to the apparatus;
• a second data connection for connecting the apparatus to the computer network;
• a switch connecting the first and second data connections and permitting the computer to access the computer network when in a first state and disconnecting the first and second data connections when in a second state;
• and
• a timer determining the time period since the last transmission of signals from the one or more peripheral devices, wherein when the time period since the last transmission of signals exceeds a predetermined time period the integrated circuit causes the switch to change from the first state to the second state.

A method of controlling access to a computer network, comprising:

• monitoring signals carried by a bus connected between one or more peripheral devices and a computer;
• counting a time period starting from a time of sensing a signal sent from the one or more peripheral devices;
• and
• disconnecting the computer from a network when the time period exceeds a predetermined time period.