Securing information by hiding identity on a computing device

#The embodiments of the invention relate generally to security related networks and, more specifically, relate to a mechanism for securing information by hiding identity in computing devices.

#It is very common for computing devices to have basic security mechanisms incorporated into their systems. Such security mechanisms prevent others from accessing the devices and using the resources provided by the device.

#A typical computing device, such as a mobile phone, stores information including text messages, contacts, notes, etc. A user of the mobile phone may wish to keep such information hidden from third parties that attempt to gain access to the information without permission. As such, the user deploys standard means, such as creating passwords and secret lock and unlocks sequences, which attempt to prevent these third parties from accessing and extracting the information from the mobile phone. However, such standard means are often not sufficient to secure the identity information in the computing devices.

#The invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention. The drawings, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system in which the embodiments of the present invention may operate;

#FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method for securing information in a computing device;

#Embodiments of the present invention provide for mechanism for securing information by hiding identity in computing devices. A method of embodiments of the invention includes generating, by a computing device, a dummy profile of the computing device. The dummy profile is a clone of a home profile stored in the computing device and the home profile is assigned to a user authorized to use the computing device. The method also includes altering, based on instructions from the user; the dummy profile to remove data that the user indicates is not to be included in the dummy profile. The method further includes switching a current operating profile of the computing device from the home profile to the dummy profile and executing the computing device in a normal operation mode using the dummy profile.

#Embodiments of the present invention secure information in the computing device by hiding identity of the authorized user of the computing device. The identity of the authorized user is hidden by creating the dummy profile, which is made available to an unauthorized user. This way, the unauthorized user will only “read” and/or have access to data on the dummy profile without knowing or realizing that there is additional data of the authorized user on the computing device.

#In the following description, numerous details are set forth. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.