Ultrasound Security System for Mobile Device Data Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack protection against data leaks via ultrasonic networking in mobile devices, as no firewalls exist to monitor and block illicit data transfers using inaudible ultrasound frequencies.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound security system integrated with a mobile device's operating system that analyzes app flow graphs to identify vulnerable apps with confidential data flow APIs and ultrasound emitting APIs, flagging potential data leaks and broadcasting a temporal sound blocking signal to neutralize unauthorized transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ultrasound networking is implemented to enable near field communications without additional hardware, then device compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but security vulnerabilities and data leak risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary security system that acts as a mediator between the ultrasound communication functionality and the device's security requirements. This system includes components such as an ultrasound detector, data flow analyzer, and correlation system that monitor and control ultrasound-based data transmissions, thereby enabling secure communication without blocking the underlying ultrasound networking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the security system continuously monitors ultrasound signals, analyzes data flow patterns, and provides real-time control decisions. The system uses runtime flow graphs and correlation analysis to detect potential data leaks and dynamically adjusts security measures, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains security while preserving communication functionality.
2Reliability
If traditional firewalls are used to monitor and block illicit data transfers, then security monitoring capability is improved, but effectiveness against ultrasound networking is reduced due to lack of specialized protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the monitoring parameters from traditional network protocol-based detection to ultrasound signal-based detection. The system analyzes acoustic signal characteristics, frequency patterns, and timing information specific to ultrasound communications, rather than relying on conventional network layer protocols. This parameter transformation enables the security system to effectively detect and control ultrasound-based data transfers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the security monitoring function into specialized components: an ultrasound detector for signal capture, a data flow analyzer for pattern recognition, and a correlation system for threat assessment. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in handling specific aspects of ultrasound security, improving overall effectiveness against ultrasonic networking threats.
3Measurement precision
If runtime flow graphs are analyzed to identify vulnerable apps with confidential data flow APIs, then detection precision is improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis by pre-identifying apps that have confidential data flow APIs in their execution paths and stores this information in runtime flow graphs. This preliminary characterization is done before actual ultrasound communication occurs, allowing the system to quickly reference pre-computed vulnerability information during runtime without performing complex analysis in real-time, thus reducing processing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of analysis by creating runtime flow graphs that map app execution paths and data flow patterns. This graphical representation transforms the security analysis problem from a complex code-level inspection task into a more manageable graph-based analysis, enabling efficient identification of vulnerable apps through structural pattern recognition rather than exhaustive code analysis.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents unwanted ultrasound data leaks by identifying and blocking malicious data transmissions from vulnerable apps, enhancing security in ultrasonic networking without additional hardware.
Implementation Method 1
mobile apps have been proposed that utilize ultrasonic sound waves (ultrasound) to transmit data among devices using the device's speaker and microphone
Implementation Method 2
utilize ultrasonic sound waves (ultrasound) to transmit data among devices using the device's speaker and microphone
Implementation Method 3
a countermeasure system that broadcasts a temporal sound blocking signal to neutralize an ultrasound transmission from the vulnerable app
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and program product for implementing an ultrasound security system for a mobile device. A system is described that includes: an app flow analysis system that generates and maintains runtime flow graphs for apps running on the mobile device and analyzes the runtime flow graphs to identify a set of apps having confidential data flow application programming interfaces (APIs) in their execution paths; a detector that further evaluates the set of apps having confidential data flow APIs to identify a subset of vulnerable apps also having ultrasound emitting APIs; and a runtime correlation system that flags a vulnerable app as a potential data leak when a microphone detects an ultrasound transmission from the vulnerable app. Also contemplated is a countermeasure system that broadcasts a temporal sound blocking signal to neutralize an ultrasound transmission from the vulnerable app.