# US 8,787,899 B2 · Restricting and preventing pairing attempts from virus attack and malicious software > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,787,899 B2 - Document ID: US8787899B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/477,462 - Filed: 2006-06-30 - Published: 2008-01-03 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2006-06-30 - Assignees: Nokia Corporation - Applicants: Jukka Parkkinen; Mikko A Hyvarinen - Inventors: Jukka Parkkinen; Mikko A Hyvarinen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8787899B2 ## CPC - H04W 12/12: Detection or prevention of fraud - H04L 63/145: {the attack involving the propagation of malware through the network, e.g. viruses, trojans or worms} - H04W 12/082: using revocation of authorisation - H04W 12/128: Anti-malware arrangements, e.g. protection against SMS fraud or mobile malware - H04W 12/50: Secure pairing of devices - H04W 12/08: Access security - H04W 76/20: Manipulation of established connections - H04W 76/30: Connection release - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A method, device and system restrict and prevent virus attack and malicious software to a wireless communication device from a pairing attempt by another wireless communications device. A switch is included in a transmission path coupling a first device to a second device, wherein the second device is attempting to pair with first wireless communications device. A detector coupled to the transmission path, detects an address of the second wireless communications device in a pairing communication protocol between the first and second devices. A counter coupled to the detector counts the pairing attempts of the second device. A compare circuit compares the pairing attempts to a selected number N. The compare circuit signals the switch to open when the number of attempts equals or exceeds the number N, breaking the connection, thereby preventing the first device from receiving virus attacks and malicious software. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, comprising: receiving at a user's wireless communication device via a pairing controller at least one pairing attempt from at least one unknown wireless communications device using a communication protocol for pairing in a trusted connection; displaying a notification on a display at the user's wireless communication device, associated with the at least one pairing attempt; receiving a reject signal at the user's wireless communication device, from the user of the wireless communication device via a user interface at the user's wireless communication device, activated by the user of the wireless communication device in rejecting the at least one pairing attempt; counting at the user's wireless communication device a number of times that the user of the wireless communication device has rejected pairing attempts from each of at least one unknown wireless communication device according to the pairing controller at the user's wireless communication device, the count indicating a paring attempt number determined by the pairing controller; and deciding at the user's wireless communication device to reject the pairing attempt by the at least one unknown communications device depending on whether the rejected pairing attempt number determined by the pairing controller is greater than a threshold count value. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein earlier pairing attempts are stored in a list in order to determine the pairing attempts by the at least one unknown wireless communication device rejected by the user. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the pairing attempt number by the at least one unknown wireless communication device rejected by the user is determined by counting only pairing attempts rejected in a sequence. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the pairing attempt number is determined by counting only pairing attempts rejected during a certain period of time. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the determination to reject the pairing attempt is made when the pairing attempt number exceeds a threshold. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the pairing attempt number is determined individually for each of the at least one unknown wireless communication devices. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the pairing attempt number is determined cumulatively for all of the at least one unknown wireless communication devices. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: detecting an address of the at least one unknown wireless communications device from the communication protocol; generating a first or rejected list containing the addresses of the at least one unknown wireless communication devices rejected for pairing in a trusted connection by the user's wireless communication device; and generating a second or attempted list containing the addresses of the at least one unknown wireless communications devices, not included in the first list, and including the number of pairings attempted by the at least one unknown wireless communications device with the user's wireless communications device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising: determining if the at least one unknown wireless communications device is listed in the rejected list and terminating the pairing attempt if the at least one unknown wireless communication device is so listed in the first or rejected list; determining if the at least one unknown wireless communications device is listed in the second or attempt list, and if so, update a count of the pairing attempts, and if not, add the at least one unknown wireless communications device to the second or attempt list including a count indication for the pairing attempt; and determining if the count of the pairing attempts is more than a preselected number of pairing attempts. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising: terminating the pairing attempt for the at least one unknown wireless communication device if the number of pairing attempts by the at least one unknown wireless communication device equals or exceeds the preselected number. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising: adding the at least one unknown wireless communication device to the rejected list if the number of pairing attempts by the at least one unknown wireless communication device equals or exceeds the preselected number. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising: counting the pairing attempts of the at least one unknown wireless communications device and updating the count in the attempt list at the address listed in the attempt list for the at least one unknown wireless communications device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising; comparing the count of the at least one unknown wireless communications device in the attempt list to the preselected number, and if less than the preselected number accepting the pairing of the user's and at least one unknown wireless communication devices. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising: updating a compare circuit in the user's wireless communications device for the determination of pairing or termination of pairing from the data stored in the attempt list and the preselected number stored in a memory included in the user's wireless communications device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising: storing an address for each pairing attempt in the attempt list and updating a count of the pairing attempts by the respective at least one unknown wireless communication devices included in the attempt list. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: initiating a timer after terminating a pairing attempt to place the user's wireless communication device in condition for receiving another pairing attempt by an unknown wireless communication device after a selected time interval. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: terminating a pairing attempt by an unknown wireless communication device by operating a reject key included in the user's wireless communication device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: blocking a pop up notification from appearing in a display included in the user's wireless communication device when a pairing attempt is terminated. ### Claim 19 A wireless communication device, comprising: a processor, the processor including at least a memory, a display, a user interface, a pairing controller and software configured to: display a notification on the display of the wireless communication device, associated with at least one pairing attempt; receive a reject signal from the user of the wireless communication device via the user interface of the wireless communication device, activated by a user of the wireless communication device in rejecting the at least one pairing attempt; count at the wireless communication device a number of times that the user of the wireless communication device has rejected pairing attempts from a trusted connection with each of at least one unknown wireless communication device according to the pairing controller at the wireless communication device, the count indicating a paring attempt number determined by the pairing controller; and decide at the wireless communication device to reject the pairing attempt by the at least one unknown communications device depending on whether the rejected pairing attempt number determined by the pairing controller is greater than a threshold count value. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The wireless communication device of claim 19 wherein the processor is further configured to: generate and store in the memory a rejected list as a first list containing the addresses of the at least one unknown wireless communication devices rejected for pairing by the wireless communication device; generate and store in the memory a second or attempted list containing the addresses of the at least one unknown wireless communications devices, not included in the first list, and include a count of the number of pairings attempted by the at least one unknown wireless communications device with the device; and determine if the at least one unknown wireless communications device is listed in the rejected list and terminate the pairing attempt if the at least one unknown wireless communication device is so listed in the first or rejected list. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The wireless communication device of claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine if the at least one unknown wireless communications device is listed in a second or attempt list, and if so, update a count of the pairing attempts, and if not, add the at least one unknown wireless communications device to the second or attempt list including a count indication for the pairing attempt; and determine if the count of the pairing attempts exceeds more than a preselected number. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The wireless communication device of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to: add the at least one unknown wireless communication device to the rejected list if the number of pairing attempts by the at least one unknown wireless communication device equals or exceeds the preselected number. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The wireless communication device of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to: activate a timer after a pairing attempt by a second wireless communications device is terminated to place the wireless communication device in condition for receiving another pairing attempt by an unknown wireless communication device after a selected time interval. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The wireless communication device of claim 19 further comprising: a reject key when operated terminating a pairing attempt by an unknown wireless communication device. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The wireless communication device of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to: count the pairing attempts of the at least one unknown wireless communications device and update the count in the attempt list at the address listed in the attempt list for the at least one unknown wireless communications device. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The wireless communication device of claim 19 further comprising: a compare circuit configured to compare the count of the at least one unknown wireless communications device in the attempt list to the preselected number, and if less than the preselected number complete the pairing of the device and at least one unknown wireless communication devices. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The wireless communication device of claim 26 wherein the compare circuit is configured to determine pairing or termination of pairing from the data stored in the attempt list and store the preselected number in a memory. ### Claim 28 (depends on 19) The wireless communication device of claim 19 wherein the processor is configured to further block a pop up notification from appearing in a display when a pairing attempt is terminated. ### Claim 29 (depends on 19) The wireless communication device of claim 19 wherein the memory is configured to store an address for each pairing attempt in the attempt list and update a count of the pairing attempt by the respective at least one unknown wireless communication devices included in the attempt list. ### Claim 30 A system, comprising: a user's wireless communications device and a second wireless communications device coupled together via a transmission path, the second wireless communications device attempting to pair in a trusted connection with the user's wireless communications device, wherein the second wireless communications device is unknown to the user's wireless communications device; a display in the user's wireless communication device, configured to display a notification associated with the pairing attempt; a user interface in the user's wireless communication device, configured to be activated by a user of the wireless communication device in rejecting the pairing attempt; a pairing controller in the user's wireless communication device, including a switching device in the transmission path; a detector in the user's wireless communication device, coupled to the transmission path and configured to detect an address of the second wireless communications device in a pairing communication protocol between the second and user's wireless communications devices; a counter at the user's wireless communication device, coupled to the detector and configured to count a number of times that a user of the user's wireless communication device has rejected pairing attempts from the second wireless communications at the address identified by the detector; a list in the user's wireless communication device, of devices by origin or address rejected for pairing by the user of the user's wireless communication device; a compare circuit at the user's wireless communication device, coupled to the counter, the compare circuit configured to compare attempts counted by the counter for the second wireless communications device at the identified address to a selected preselected number, the compare circuit further configured to signal the switching device to open, to break the coupling between the user's and second wireless communications device when the attempts equal or exceed the preselected number for the device on the list rejected for pairing, thereby preventing the user's wireless communications device from receiving virus attacks and malicious software. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The system of claim 30 further comprising: a processor responsive to the compare circuit signal to block a pop up notification from appearing in a display included in the user's wireless communication device when a pairing attempt is terminated. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The system of claim 30 further comprising: a timer coupled to the switching device and activated after termination of a pairing attempt and a selected time interval to close the switching device, and place the user's wireless communication device in condition for receiving another pairing attempt by an at least one unknown wireless communication device. ### Claim 33 An apparatus, comprising: means for receiving at a user's wireless communication device via a pairing controller at least one pairing attempt from at least one unknown wireless communications device using a communication protocol for pairing in a trusted connection; means for displaying a notification on a display at the user's wireless communication device, associated with the at least one pairing attempt; means for receiving a reject signal at the user's wireless communication device, from the user of the wireless communication device via a user interface at the user's wireless communication device, activated by the user of the wireless communication device in rejecting the at least one pairing attempt; means for counting at the user's wireless communication device a number of times that the user of the wireless communication device has rejected pairing attempts from each of at least one unknown wireless communication device according to the pairing controller at the user's wireless communication device, the count indicating a paring attempt number determined by the pairing controller; and means for deciding at the user's wireless communication device to reject the pairing attempt by the at least one unknown communications device depending on whether the rejected pairing attempt number determined by the pairing controller is greater than a threshold count value.