System and method for allowing applications to securely access files

A system for providing an application access to a file, comprising:

• a storage device;
• a processor running a program stored on the storage device, the program comprising:
• a request manager having an input configured to receive from the application a request to access the file, the request manager configured to send, at an output, a signal responsive to the request received at the request manager input;
• a file prompt initiator having an input, coupled to the request manager output, configured to receive the signal, the file prompt initiator configured to generate and provide, via an output, a first command to provide a prompt, through a graphical interface, for a name and path of the file, the file prompt initiator not disclosing to the application at least one selected from the name of the file and the path of the file;
• a file handle manager having a first input, coupled to the file prompt initiator output, configured to receive the first command, the file handle manager being configured to:
• provide at an output at least one selected from the first command and a second command to cause the file to be opened;
• receive a handle to the file at a second input responsive to input received in response to the prompt;
• provide to the application via a second output the handle to the file;
• the file handle manager not disclosing to the application at least one selected from the name of the file and the path of the file.

A computer program product comprising a storage device having computer readable program code embodied therein for providing an application access to a file, the computer program product comprising computer readable program code devices configured to cause a computer system to:

• receive from the application by a program different from the application, a request to access the file;
• responsive to the request, providing a prompt for a name and path of the file without disclosing to the application at least one selected from the name of the file and the path of the file;
• cause the file to be opened responsive to a response to the prompt, without disclosing to the application at least one selected from the name of the file and the path of the file;
• and
• provide to the application a handle to the file opened without disclosing to the application at least one selected from the name of the file and the path of the file.