Client-Side File Share Session Alerting and Termination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users' devices can be accessed remotely without their knowledge, allowing unauthorized access to shared files and folders, as existing systems do not effectively alert users to ongoing file-sharing sessions or allow easy termination of these sessions.
Innovation Solution
A client-side application detects active file-share sessions and alerts users, enabling them to approve or terminate these sessions with a single click, providing transparency and control over access to their files and folders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If file sharing is enabled on a device, then users can access files remotely, but users lose awareness and control over who accesses their files
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring file share sessions and sending notifications to users about who is accessing their files. The notification system provides real-time information about active sessions, including user identity and accessed files, allowing users to maintain awareness while files remain accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary notification system that acts as a mediator between the file sharing mechanism and the user. This intermediary component monitors sessions, processes access information, and delivers notifications, separating the file access function from direct user awareness while maintaining information flow.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple shares are created on a device, then file sharing capability increases, but security risk increases due to potential unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system provides feedback about each share session, enabling users to identify potentially unauthorized access. By receiving notifications about who is accessing files and what is being accessed, users can detect security issues early and take appropriate action.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables users to self-manage their share sessions by providing them with the information needed to make security decisions. Users can independently review notifications and terminate sessions they deem unauthorized, without requiring external security intervention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If users want to terminate a file-sharing session, then security is improved, but the process becomes complex requiring multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the termination function from complex security protocols and presents it as a simple user action. The notification system includes a dedicated terminate button that directly stops the share session without requiring users to navigate through multiple menus or understand technical details about session management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system treats share session termination as a simple, disposable action rather than a complex process. The single-click terminate button provides an immediate, low-cost (in terms of user effort) way to end sessions, making security management as easy as a single user interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for detecting active file-share sessions on a client device, alerting the user of the client device, and enabling the user to terminate the file-share sessions, are disclosed. In accordance with the disclosed method and system, when a remote device (e.g., on a network, the Internet, wireless, etc) connects to a shared file or folder on a client device (e.g., a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, personal video recorder, and the like) the user of the client device receives an alert identifying the file-sharing session established through this connection. The user is then presented with an option of whether to approve this file-sharing session, or to disconnect it (thus causing the remote user to lose access to the client device's file system) with a single click of a button.