Master Password File Protection with Auto-Delete
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fraud prevention methods in portable electronic devices are inadequate, as they rely on memory-based passwords and additional personal information, which can be compromised, especially when users have multiple accounts and memory is impaired, leading to increased complexity and vulnerability.
Innovation Solution
A password protection system that uses a master password to encrypt and protect multiple files containing confidential information, with automatic deletion of data upon successive incorrect password entries and optional features like geographic location-based access and booby trap passwords to enhance security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple levels of security (identification, passwords, personal information) are implemented, then security reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments confidential information into multiple separate files stored in a database, each file containing specific sensitive data. This segmentation allows the system to manage and protect information in discrete units, improving security while maintaining operational simplicity through structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a master password as an intermediary mechanism that mediates access to multiple files of confidential information. Instead of requiring users to remember multiple passwords and personal information details, the master password serves as a single intermediary that controls access to all segmented information files, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If passwords are committed to memory, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates when memory is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The master password acts as an intermediary that users must provide only once to access multiple files of confidential information. This eliminates the need for users to remember multiple passwords or personal information details, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining security through the centralized access control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The master password serves multiple functions: it authenticates user identity, decrypts multiple separate files, and provides access to various types of confidential information. This multi-functionality allows a single password to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate authentication mechanisms, improving ease of operation without compromising security.
3Reliability
If personal information is collected for security verification, then security reliability is improved, but loss of information and privacy risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes personal information from the system architecture entirely. Instead of collecting and storing personal information such as mother's maiden name or high school mascot for security verification, the system uses only a master password for authentication. This extraction eliminates privacy risks associated with collecting sensitive personal information while maintaining security reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a disposable master password that can be changed at any time without requiring recovery of personal information. Unlike personal information that must be retained and protected, the master password can be freely updated, providing a more secure and privacy-preserving approach to authentication that eliminates long-term storage of sensitive personal data.
4Reliability
If files are protected with encryption, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to password management complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The master password serves as an intermediary that simplifies access to multiple encrypted files. Instead of requiring users to manage separate passwords for each encrypted file, the single master password provides unified access to all confidential information files, maintaining security through encryption while significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate password protection mechanisms into a single master password system. All files containing confidential information are protected through the same master password, combining what would otherwise require multiple independent authentication systems into one unified access mechanism, thereby improving ease of operation without reducing security.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for protecting confidential information. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of files where each file contains at least one item of secret information, password protecting the plurality of files with a master password, detecting entry of passwords into a master password entry field, comparing entered passwords with the master password to identify incorrect master passwords and deleting the plurality of files upon successive entry of incorrect master passwords a predetermined number of times.