Proactive security for mobile devices
Methods, program products, and systems for proactively securing mobile devices are described. A mobile device can proactively determine whether the mobile device is associated with a security risk and the level of the security risk. Upon determining a security risk, the mobile device can transmit coordinates of its current geographic location to a server. To protect privacy of authorized users, the transmission can be disabled by entering a password. If multiple failed password attempts are detected, the mobile device can proactively increase a security level of the device, and selectively protect files or other content stored on the mobile device. In some implementations, the mobile device can be transitioned into a surveillance mode where the mobile device records or captures information associated with one or more of user actions, ambient sound, images, a trajectory of the device, and transmits the recorded or captured information to the network resource.
1. A computer-implemented method for remotely managing a mobile device, the method comprising:
at a host computer, and in response to receiving a request from an entity other than the mobile device:
transmitting a first security command to the mobile device, wherein the first security command causes the mobile device to gather at least one security parameter;
receiving, from the mobile device and in response to the first security command, the least one security parameter;
calculating, based on the at least one security parameter, a security risk factor associated with the mobile device, wherein the security risk factor corresponds to a first data security scheme of a plurality of data security schemes, and each data security scheme of the plurality of data security schemes defines a set of actions to be carried out when the data security scheme is applied at the mobile device;
causing the entity to display information associated with (i) the at least one security parameter, and (ii) the security risk factor; and
transmitting, to the mobile device, a second security command, wherein the second security command causes the mobile device to:
(i) apply the first data security scheme by carrying out each action in the set of actions defined by the first data security scheme, and
(ii) enter a mode that enables the mobile device to autonomously apply a second security scheme that is different from the first data security scheme when the mobile device identifies a condition that corresponds to the second data security scheme.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one security parameter includes coordinates of a geographical location of the mobile device.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein an action in the set of actions involves deactivating user installed programs on the mobile device and scrambling at least a portion of user data on the mobile device.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein an action in the set of actions involves erasing information user data stored on the mobile device.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein an action in the set of actions involves recording activities and transmitting information about the activities to the host computer.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one security parameter comprises a change in music preferences indicated by a change in music downloaded onto the mobile device.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one security parameter comprises a number of password inputs that do not match a correct user password.
8. A system configured to remotely manage a mobile device, the system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory configured to store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to carry out steps that include:
receiving a request from an entity other than the mobile device;
in response to the request, transmitting a first security command to the mobile device, wherein the first security command causes the mobile device to gather at least one security parameter;
receiving, from the mobile device and in response to the first security command, the least one security parameter;
calculating, based on the at least one security parameter, a security risk factor associated with the mobile device, wherein the security risk factor corresponds to a first data security scheme of a plurality of data security schemes, and each data security scheme of the plurality of data security schemes defines a set of actions to be carried out when the data security scheme is applied at the mobile device;
causing the entity to display information associated with (i) the at least one security parameter, and (ii) the security risk factor; and
transmitting, to the mobile device, a second security command, wherein the second security command causes the mobile device to:
(i) apply the first data security scheme by carrying out each action in the set of actions defined by the first data security scheme, and
(ii) enter a mode that enables the mobile device to autonomously apply a second security scheme that is different from the first data security scheme when the mobile device identifies a condition that corresponds to the second data security scheme.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one security parameter includes coordinates of a geographical location of the mobile device.
10. The system of claim 8 , wherein an action in the set of actions involves deactivating user installed programs on the mobile device and scrambling at least a portion of user data on the mobile device.
11. The system of claim 8 , wherein an action in the set of actions involves erasing information user data stored on the mobile device.
12. The system of claim 8 , wherein an action in the set of actions involves recording activities and transmitting information about the activities to the system.
13. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one security parameter comprises a change in music preferences indicated by a change in music downloaded onto the mobile device.
14. The system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one security parameter comprises a number of password inputs that do not match a correct user password.
15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store instructions that, when executed by a processor included in a computing device, cause the computing device to remotely manage a mobile device, by carrying out steps that include:
receiving a request from an entity other than the mobile device;
in response to the request, transmitting a first security command to the mobile device, wherein the first security command causes the mobile device to gather at least one security parameter;
receiving, from the mobile device and in response to the first security command, the least one security parameter;
calculating, based on the at least one security parameter, a security risk factor associated with the mobile device, wherein the security risk factor corresponds to a first data security scheme of a plurality of data security schemes, and each data security scheme of the plurality of data security schemes defines a set of actions to be carried out when the data security scheme is applied at the mobile device;
causing the entity to display information associated with (i) the at least one security parameter, and (ii) the security risk factor; and
transmitting, to the mobile device, a second security command, wherein the second security command causes the mobile device to:
(i) apply the first data security scheme by carrying out each action in the set of actions defined by the first data security scheme, and
(ii) enter a mode that enables the mobile device to autonomously apply a second security scheme that is different from the first data security scheme when the mobile device identifies a condition that corresponds to the second data security scheme.
16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the at least one security parameter includes coordinates of a geographical location of the mobile device.
17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein an action in the set of actions involves deactivating user installed programs on the mobile device and scrambling at least a portion of user data on the mobile device.
18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein an action in the set of actions involves erasing information user data stored on the mobile device.
19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein an action in the set of actions involves recording activities and transmitting information about the activities to the computing device.
20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the at least one security parameter comprises a change in music preferences indicated by a change in music downloaded onto the mobile device.