Method and apparatus for securing mobile applications

A method, comprising:

• obtaining a modified object code of an application executed on a mobile device, the modified object code being defined from an unmodified object code of the application, the unmodified object code being provided by a first party, the modification including:
• removal of a digital signature on the unmodified object code of the application;
• installing at least one intercept point into the unmodified object code of the application;
• and
• signing the application with a digital signature of a second party to define the modified object code, the second party being different from the first party;
• executing the modified object code of the application on the mobile device;
• responsive to an input gesture received at the mobile device, the input gesture received within a context of the application and the input gesture matching a predetermined gesture,
• overlaying a user interface within the context of the application on the mobile device, the user interface permitting selection of data items from a data source;
• determining from a selection signal received at the mobile device, a selected data item;
• responsive to the determining, loading the selected data item into the context of the application;
• and
• removing the user interface overlay.

A method comprising:

• obtaining an object code of an application executed on a mobile device, the application created by an author different from an operator of a data source;
• loading dynamically at least one intercept point into the object code of the application, the at least one intercept point to detect a predetermined input gesture;
• responsive to an input gesture received at the mobile device, the input gesture received within a context of the application and the input gesture matching the predetermined input gesture,
• overlaying a user interface within the context of the application, the user interface providing a secure task manager allowing selection and activation of a group of applications executed on the mobile device which are within a given security context;
• determining from a selection signal received at the mobile device, a selected application from the group of applications;
• responsive to the determining, activating the selected application on the mobile device;
• and
• removing the user interface overlay.

A system comprising:

• a storage;
• a network interface, and
• a computer system, the computer system communicatively coupled with the network interface and the storage, the computer system including a controller configured to:
• receive an object code of an application executed on a mobile device, the application created by an author different from an operator of a data source;
• dynamically load at least one intercept point into the object code of the application, the at least one intercept point to detect a predetermined input gesture;
• responsive to an input gesture received at the mobile device, the input gesture received within a context of the application and the input gesture matching the predetermined input gesture,
• overlay a user interface within the context of the application, the user interface permitting selection of data items from the data source;
• determine from a selection signal received at the mobile device, a selected data item;
• responsive to the determining, load the selected data item into the context of the application;
• and
• remove the user interface overlay.