# US 9,003,545 B1 · Systems and methods to protect against the release of information > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,003,545 B1 - Document ID: US9003545B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/524,107 - Filed: 2012-06-15 - Granted: 2015-04-07 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-15 - Assignees: Symantec Corporation - Applicants: Ian Oliver - Inventors: Ian Oliver - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9003545B1 ## CPC - H04L 9/088: {Usage controlling of secret information, e.g. techniques for restricting cryptographic keys to pre-authorized uses, different access levels, validity of crypto-period, different key- or password length, or different strong and weak cryptographic algorithms (network architectures or network communication protocols for using time-dependent keys in a packet data network H04L63/068)} - H04M 3/20: with means for interrupting existing connections; with means for breaking-in on conversations - H04M 3/42059: {Making use of the calling party identifier} - H04M 2201/40: using speech recognition - H04M 2203/2038: Call context notifications - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract A computer-implemented method to protect against the release of information is described. The processor monitors for a communication with an unverified number. Upon detection of the communication with an unverified number, the processor monitors the communication for a protected string. Upon detection of a protected string, the processor performs an intervention action. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method to protect against the release of information, comprising: monitoring, by a processor of a telephone device of a user, an established communication with an unverified number, the established communication comprising a connected telephone call between the telephone device of the user and a device associated with the unverified number; monitoring, by the processor, audible information from the established communication for a spoken release of at least a portion of a protected string in during the established communication; and upon detection of at least a portion of the protected string from the audible information, performing, by the processor, an intervention action, the intervention action preventing the user from providing sensitive information during the established communication. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining at least one characteristic about the unverified number. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the audible information comprises: obtaining a digital version of the audible information; correlating the digital version with the protected string; and determining that the correlation satisfies a threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the protected string comprises a sequence of numbers having at least two numbers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the protected string comprises a sequence of letters having at least two letters. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the protected string comprises a sequence of characters having a combination of letters and numbers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining reputation information about the unverified number. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: providing reputation information about the unverified number. ### Claim 9 A computing device configured to protect against the release of information, comprising: a processor; memory in electronic communication with the processor; instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to: monitor an established communication with an unverified number, the established communication comprising a connected telephone call between the telephone device of the user and a device associated with the unverified number; monitor audible information from the established communication for a spoken release of at least a portion of a protected string during the established communication; and upon detection of at least a portion of the protected string from the audible information, perform an intervention action, the intervention action preventing the user from providing sensitive information during the established communication. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The computing device of claim 9, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: determine at least one characteristic about the unverified number. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The computing device of claim 9, wherein the instructions to monitor the audible information are further executable by the processor to: obtain a digital version of the audible information; correlate the digital version with the protected string; and determine that the correlation satisfies a threshold. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The computing device of claim 9, wherein the protected string comprises a sequence of numbers having at least two numbers. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The computing device of claim 9, wherein the protected string comprises a sequence of letters having at least two letters. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The computing device of claim 9, wherein the protected string comprises a sequence of characters having a combination of letters and numbers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The computing device of claim 9, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: obtain reputation information about the unverified number. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The computing device of claim 9, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: provide reputation information about the unverified number. ### Claim 17 A computer-program product to protect against the release of information, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores computer executable instructions, the instructions being executable by a processor to: monitor an established communication with an unverified number, the established communication comprising a connected telephone call between the telephone device of the user and a device associated with the unverified number; monitor audible information from the established communication for a spoken release of at least a portion of a protected string during the established communication; and upon detection of at least a portion of the protected string from the audible information, perform an intervention action, the intervention action preventing the user from providing sensitive information during the established communication. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The computer-program product of claim 17, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to: determine at least one characteristic about the unverified number.