Adaptive Autofill Security for User ID Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current autofill systems for userID fields lack sufficient security measures, particularly when accessed from locations other than the user's home, as they do not adequately restrict access to previously entered userIDs, potentially allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive information.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines the current location of a computing device and adjusts the minimum number of characters required to display previously entered userIDs in the autofill feature based on whether the device is at its home location, increasing security by requiring more characters to be entered before displaying autofill options when the device is not at its home location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the autofill feature displays previously entered userIDs after entering few characters, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the minimum character requirement adjustable based on location context. The system dynamically modifies the autofill behavior parameters (minimum characters required) according to whether the device is at a trusted home location or not, allowing the security level to adapt to the operational context rather than remaining static
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by implementing different security policies for different locations. At the home location, the system uses a lower minimum character requirement for easier access, while at other locations, it enforces a higher minimum character requirement. This allows the autofill feature to have different properties (security levels) in different spatial contexts
2Reliability
If the system requires more characters to be entered before displaying autofill options when not at home location, then the security is improved, but the productivity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the minimum character requirement based on location context. When the device detects it is at the home location through location services, it lowers the minimum character threshold, thereby restoring productivity without compromising security in trusted environments
3Reliability
If the autofill feature is disabled completely, then the security is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing location-based differentiation of autofill functionality. At the home location, the full autofill feature is available with lower minimum character requirements for convenience. At other locations, the system applies stricter controls with higher minimum character requirements, providing enhanced security while preserving the autofill capability where needed
Data Source
AI summary
A computer determines whether current location information of the computer indicates that the computer is at a home location. The computer determines a minimum number of characters to be entered by a user into a userID field to cause the computer to automatically display previously entered userIDs based on whether the computer is located at a home location. If fewer than the minimum characters are entered, previously entered userIDs are not displayed. Location information can be based on one or more of: wi-fi signal strengths, cell tower signal strengths and signal arrival timing information, whether the network connection is wireless or Ethernet cable, the wireless protocol, whether a wi-fi connection is secured or public, whether the computer is a mobile device, and satellite navigation system location.