Authorizing an additional computer program module for use with a core computer program
View Patent ↗A system for scanning computer files for unwanted properties, such as containing computer viruses or being spam e-mail, allocates a priority to pending scan requests based upon the identity of a computer user associated with the scan request. In the case of a normal file access request, the computer user associated with the scan request may be the file access request or in the case of an on-demand scan, then the computer user associated with a particular scan request for a computer file may be the owner or creator of that computer file. In the case of scan requests associated with e-mails, the sender or recipient computer user may be used in the allocation of a priority level for the scan request.
1. A computer implemented method of authorising an additional computer program module for use with a core computer program, said core computer program being installed, said method comprising the steps of:
reading module signature data associated with said additional computer program module;
reading core signature data and other signature data associated with said core computer program;
wherein said other signature data is user signature data;
comparing said module signature data with said core signature data and said user signature data; and
refusing authorisation of said additional computer program module for use with said core computer program unless said module signature data matches at least one of said core signature data and said user signature data;
wherein said user signature data allows a particular user to authorize said additional computer program module for use with said installed core computer program;
wherein said user signature data is utilized to authorize said additional computer program module which is from a third party for use with said core computer program.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said additional computer program module is refused authorisation for use with said core computer program unless said module signature data matches both of said core signature data and said user signature data.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said module signature data, said core signature data and said user signature data include public key infrastructure signatures.
4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said user signature data is associated with said core computer program upon installation of said core computer program.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said user signature data is embedded within said core computer program.
6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said user signature data is embedded within said core computer program by applying a user specific patch to said core computer program.
7. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said core signature data is associated with said core computer program upon generation of said core computer program.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein said core signature data is embedded within said core computer program.
9. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said core computer program is an anti-virus computer program.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said anti-virus computer program operates with at least one updateable anti-virus computer program module.
11. A method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said additional computer program module does not relate to anti-virus protection.
12. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said additional computer program module provides functionality independent of that of said core computer program.
13. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said additional computer program module is operable to patch an installed computer program.
14. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said additional computer program module is operable to install another computer program.
15. A method of generating an additional computer program module for use with a core computer program when authorised in accordance with the method of claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of:
writing said additional computer program module;
receiving new user information from a new user of said additional computer program module;
generating user signature data specific to said new user in dependence upon said new user information;
associating said user signature data with said additional computer program module; and
providing said additional computer program module with associated user signature data to said new user.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said step of generating uses a tool produced by a provider of said core computer program.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein said step of associating uses a tool produced by a provider of said core computer program.
18. A method of generating an additional computer program module for use with a core computer program when authorised in accordance with the method of claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of:
writing said additional computer program module;
generating signature data specific to said additional computer program module in dependence upon said additional computer program module using a tool produced by a provider of said core computer program;
associating said signature data with said additional computer program module; and
providing said additional computer program module with associated signature data to said new user.
19. A method of generating an additional computer program module for use with a core computer program when authorised in accordance with the method of claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of:
writing said additional computer program module;
providing said additional computer program module to a new user;
said new user associating user signature data with said additional computer program module;
providing said additional computer program module and associated user signature data to a provider of said core computer program;
said provider of said core computer program associating core signature data with said additional computer program module and associated user signature data;
providing said additional computer program module and associated user signature data and core signature data to said new user.
20. A computer implemented method of authorising an additional computer program module for use with a core computer program, said core computer program being installed, said method comprising the steps of:
reading module signature data associated with said additional computer program module;
reading core signature data and other signature data associated with said core computer program;
wherein said other signature data is user signature data;
comparing said module signature data with said core signature data and said user signature data; and
refusing authorisation of said additional computer program module for use with said core computer program unless said module signature data matches at least one of said core signature data and said user signature data;
wherein said user signature data allows a particular user to authorize said additional computer program module for use with said installed core computer program;
wherein said user signature data is utilized to authorize said additional computer program module which is generated by said user for use with said core computer program.
21. A computer implemented method of authorising an additional computer program module for use with a core computer program, said core computer program being installed, said method comprising the steps of:
reading module signature data associated with said additional computer program module;
reading core signature data and other signature data associated with said core computer program;
wherein said other signature data is user signature data;
comparing said module signature data with said core signature data and said user signature data; and
refusing authorisation of said additional computer program module for use with said core computer program unless said module signature data matches at least one of said core signature data and said user signature data;
wherein said user signature data allows a particular user to authorize said additional computer program module for use with said installed core computer program;
wherein said core computer program keeps a list of module providers which have been previously authorized by said user signature data, such that said user signature data becomes associated with additional computer program modules provided by module providers indicated on said list.