Notebook security system using infrared key

A method of providing infrared (IR) multilevel security to prevent unauthorized use of a computer which includes an infrared message receiving port, comprising the steps of:

• providing an infrared self-powered key device having an IR transmitter and carrying (i) at least a first serial number;
• (ii) an encryption key and (iii) a manually operable switch which can send an infrared message to the receiving port of the computer;
• installing a storage device in the computer and storing therein a validation record, said validation record having a copy of said first serial number and an encrypted copy of said second serial number;
• providing a computer program for comparing said first serial number from the key device with said copy of the first serial number inside the computer and for decrypting said encrypted copy of said second serial number with said encryption key;
• and
• automatically powering down said computer if said copy of said second serial number and the decrypted second serial number do not match.

An infrared (IR) multi-level security system to prevent unauthorized use of a computer, said system comprising:

• an IR key device used proximate to the computer by the user to gain use of the computer, said key device carrying at least a first serial number;
• a storage device installed in said computer and storing a validation record, said validation record having a copy of said first serial number;
• an infrared port in said computer to provide a pathway to receive and read at least said first serial number;
• a computer program to compare said first serial number from said key device with said copy of said first serial number;
• means for automatically powering down said computer if said first serial number and said copy of said first serial number do not match;
• said key device carrying an encryption key and means to transmit the encryption key to said infrared port;
• said computer having a device to store a copy of a second serial number;
• said validation record having an encrypted portion, said encrypted portion carrying an encrypted copy of said second serial number;
• said computer program to decrypt said second serial number from said validation record using said encryption key, to produce a decrypted version of said second serial number, and to compare said decrypted version of said second serial number with said copy of said second serial number;
• means for automatically powering down said computer if said copy of said second serial number and said decrypted copy of said second serial number do not match;
• said validation record carrying a personal identification number (validation record PIN);
• a keyboard for a user to enter an entered version of a PIN (entered PIN);
• a computer program to compare said validation PIN with said entered PIN;
• means for automatically powering down said computer if said validation PIN and said entered PIN do not match;
• said key device carrying a key device access code;
• said validation record having a copy of said validation access code;
• means for writing said validation access code to said key device, and key device having means for comparing said key device access code to said validation access code;
• and,
• means for automatically powering down said computer if said key device access code and said validation access code do not match.

A security system to prevent unauthorized use of a computer, said system comprising:

• a key device carrying a serial number;
• means for interfacing said key device with said computer;
• a device installed in said computer storing a validation record, said validation record having at least a copy of a serial number and a PIN (validation record PIN);
• a keyboard for a user to enter an entered version of a PIN (entered PIN);
• a computer program to compare said serial number from said key device with said copy of said serial number and compare said validation record PIN with said entered PIN;
• and
• means for powering down said computer if said serial number and said copy of said serial number do not match OR if said validation record PIN and said entered PIN do not match.

A security system to prevent unauthorized use of a computer, said system comprising:

• a key device carrying an encryption key
• means for interfacing said key device with said computer;
• a keyboard for a user to enter an entered version of a PIN (entered PIN);
• a device installed in said computer storing a validation record, said validation record including an encrypted version of a PIN (validation record PIN);
• a computer program to decrypt said encrypted validation record PIN using said encryption key, to produce a decrypted version of said validation record PIN, and to compare said decrypted version of said validation record PIN with said entered PIN;
• and
• means for disallowing use of said computer if, said decrypted version of said validation record PIN and said entered PIN do not match.

A method for securing a computer to prevent unauthorized use thereof, comprising the steps of:

• carrying a serial number in a key device;
• storing a validation record in at least one storage device installed in said computer, said validation record having a copy of said serial number and a PIN (validation record PIN);
• entering by keyboard an entered version of a PIN (entered PIN);
• providing a pathway to read said serial number through an interface connecting said key device to said computer;
• comparing said serial number from said key device to said copy of said serial number and comparing said validation record PIN to said entered PIN;
• powering down said computer if said serial number from said key device and said copy of said serial number OR said validation record PIN and said entered PIN do not match.

A method for securing a computer to prevent unauthorized use thereof, comprising the steps of:

• carrying a encryption key in a key device;
• storing a serial number in a device in said computer;
• storing a validation record in at least one storage device installed in said computer, said validation record having an encrypted copy of said serial number and a PIN (validation record PIN);
• entering by keyboard an entered version of a PIN (entered PIN);
• providing a pathway to read said encryption key through an interface connecting said key device to said computer;
• decrypting said encrypted copy of said serial number from said validation record using said encryption key, to produce a decrypted version of said serial number;
• disallowing use of said computer if said serial number and said decrypted copy of said serial number OR said validation record PIN and said entered PIN do not match.