Virtual Store Authorization for Wireless Device Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless providers face challenges in securely supporting virtual game and application vendors on wireless devices, particularly due to issues like the need for 'Unknown Sources' exceptions and limited support for third-party vendors, which affects user experience and customer retention.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilizes a server with a processor to manage public asymmetric keys, authorization files, and encryption to securely support multiple applications on wireless devices, enabling authorized access, convenient installation, and reliable service, thereby improving user experience and supporting multiple game and application vendors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless providers support multiple virtual game and application vendors, then service offerings and user experience are improved, but security risks and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the application distribution ecosystem by creating distinct virtual stores for different vendors (e.g., Google Play Store, Apple App Store, Amazon Appstore) on the same wireless device. Each virtual store operates as an independent entity with its own authorization mechanisms, allowing multiple vendors to coexist without compromising the security of the overall system. The processor manages these segmented stores through a unified interface while maintaining separate security boundaries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless providers allow applications from unknown sources, then vendor flexibility is improved, but device security and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces virtual store interfaces as intermediary layers between the user and application sources. These intermediaries authenticate and authorize applications before installation, acting as security gatekeepers. The processor works with these intermediary virtual stores to verify application legitimacy, thereby maintaining device security while enabling access to diverse vendor applications without requiring 'Unknown Sources' exceptions.
3Ease of operation
If a unified interface manages multiple virtual stores, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor implements a universal interface that performs multiple functions: it manages multiple virtual stores, handles application installation, enforces authorization rules, and provides user interaction. This single unified interface consolidates what would otherwise require separate management systems for each virtual store, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation. The interface universally applies authorization logic across all vendors through consistent protocols.
4Reliability
If authorization files are encrypted with asymmetric keys, then security is improved, but processing time and computational overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating and storing authorization files encrypted with asymmetric keys before application installation. The virtual stores prepare these encrypted authorization files in advance, so that during installation, the processor can quickly verify permissions without performing complex real-time cryptographic operations. This preliminary encryption and storage of authorization data reduces processing time during critical installation phases while maintaining strong security.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of securely supporting at least one application for use on a wireless device, including storing a plurality of locations, storing a plurality of public asymmetric keys for encryption of the plurality of locations, providing an interface for a virtual store, providing the location of a plurality of authorization files, displaying a list of applications available for the wireless device, presenting content associated with the list of applications available for the wireless device, receiving a customer selection of an application, creating an authorization file comprising the location of the application, storing the plurality of authorization files, providing an authorization file, authorizing one of the plurality of locations based on decryption of at least one of the plurality of public asymmetric keys, and installing on the wireless device the user selected application.