Dynamic Component Access Control for Android Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Android operating systems, the inability to modify access settings for application components leads to user privacy being stolen and system instability, as malicious applications can exploit system functions without user knowledge.
Innovation Solution
A component access control method that generates and saves lists of allowed and prohibited components for applications, allowing users or the system to selectively grant access based on a component selection command, thereby intercepting unauthorized access attempts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If any Android application applies for access authority of associated components during installation, then the application can use system functions (messaging, network access, location services), but malicious applications can continuously exploit system component functions to steal user privacy and cause system instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic access control by allowing users to modify component access permissions after application installation. The system transitions from static permission assignment at installation time to dynamic permission management during runtime, enabling users to grant or revoke access rights based on actual usage scenarios and security concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the access control mechanism into two independent lists: a target component list (components the application requests to access) and a prevention access component list (components the application is prohibited from accessing). This segmentation allows fine-grained control over application permissions, enabling selective granting or denying of access to specific system components rather than all-or-nothing permission management.
2Ease of operation
If application access to components is granted during installation, then the application can function properly, but the access setting cannot be modified afterwards allowing privacy theft
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic modification of access settings after application installation. Users can access the control interface to add components to the prevention access component list or remove them, allowing flexible adjustment of permissions based on changing security requirements or user awareness of privacy risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism between the application and system components. The prevention access component list acts as a mediator that intercepts and blocks access attempts to sensitive components, providing an additional layer of control that operates independently from the original permission grants during installation.
3Productivity
If malicious applications access system components continuously, then system resources are consumed, but the user cannot know that privacy data is being illegally acquired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by providing users with visibility into which components their applications are attempting to access. Through the control interface, users can view the target component list and prevention access component list, receiving feedback about potential privacy risks and making informed decisions about permission management.
Solution Approach 2:
The prevention access component list serves as an intermediary security layer that monitors and blocks malicious access attempts. By intercepting access requests to sensitive components (messaging, contacts, location services) and preventing them from reaching the application, the system protects user privacy while maintaining normal system resource utilization for legitimate operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a method for component access control and electronic device. The method comprises: acquiring a target component list corresponding to the first application, which list includes at least one target component required by the first application, with the at least one target component belonging to at least one basic component; after a component selection command is received, generating information about those basic components accessible by the first application from the target component list according to the component selection command; and storing the information about those basic components accessible by the first application. In the present solution, it is unnecessary to set access to all the component when applying for an application; rather, those component accessible by the application can be controlled during the installation or use of the application according to system or user requirements, thereby increasing the flexibility of the application in accessing components and reducing the probability of the user privacy being stolen.