Method and system for managing a VPN connection

1. A method at a computing device configured to send and receive traffic over a virtual private network (VPN) connection, the method comprising:

determining a battery level of the computing device;

selecting a power optimization model based on the battery level of the computing device, the power optimization model defining conditions related to an operating context of the computing device;

determining that the operating context of the computing device meets the conditions;

responsive to the conditions being met, monitoring the VPN connection for inactivity for a first time period;

wherein the monitoring for inactivity comprises:

waiting for an inactivity timer to expire;

resetting the inactivity timer when data is transmitted over the VPN connection; and

upon the inactivity timer expiring, disconnecting the VPN connection.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first conditions include a transition of the computing device into a stand-by mode.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conditions include the computing device having only an internal power source.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conditions include an Internet Protocol address the VPN connection uses.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conditions include a wireless signal strength.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conditions include a signal to noise ratio.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conditions include an application or protocol using the VPN connection.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conditions include at least one factor selected from the group consisting of: a transition of the computing device into a stand-by mode; the computing device having only an internal power source; an Internet Protocol address the VPN connection uses; a wireless signal strength; a signal to noise ratio; and an application or protocol using the VPN connection.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the conditions comprise a plurality of factors, and wherein each factor is provided with a weight.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first time period is dynamic and dependent on the power optimization model.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising re-establishing the VPN connection upon the operating context of the computing device no longer meeting the conditions.

12. A computing device configured to send and receive traffic over virtual private network (VPN) connection, the computing device comprising:

a processor;

at least one battery; and

a communications subsystem,

wherein the computing device is configured to:

determine a battery level of the at least one battery;

select power optimization model based on the battery level of the computing device, the power optimization model defining conditions related to an operating context of the computing device;

determine that the operating context of the computing device inerts the conditions;

responsive to the conditions being met, monitor the VPN connection for inactivity for a first time period;

wherein the monitoring for inactivity comprises:

waiting for an inactivity timer to expire;

resetting the inactivity timer when data is transmitted over the VPN connection; and

upon the inactivity timer expiring, disconnecting the VPN connection.

13. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the conditions include at least one factor selected from the group consisting of: a transition of the computing device into a stand-by mode; the computing device having only an internal power source; an Internet Protocol address the VPN connection uses; a wireless signal strength; a signal to noise ratio; and an application or protocol using the VPN connection.

14. The computing device of claim 13 , wherein the conditions comprise a plurality of factors, and wherein each factor is provided with a weight.

15. The computing device of claim 12 , wherein the first time period is dynamic and dependent on the power optimization model.

16. The computing device of claim 12 , further comprising re-establishing the VPN connection upon the operating context of the computing device no longer meeting the conditions.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon executable code for execution by a processor of a computing device, the executable code comprising instructions for:

determining a battery level of the computing device;

selecting a power optimization model based on the battery level of the computing device, the power optimization model defining conditions related to an operating context of the computing device;

determining that the operating context of the computing device meets the conditions;

responsive to the conditions being met, monitoring a VPN connection for inactivity for a first time period;

wherein the monitoring for inactivity comprises:

waiting for an inactivity timer to expire;

resetting the inactivity timer when data is transmitted over the VPN connection; and

upon the inactivity timer expiring, disconnecting the VPN connection.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the executable code further comprises instructions for:

establishing the VPN connection upon the operating context of the computing device no longer meeting the conditions.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the conditions comprise a plurality of factors, and wherein each factor is provided with a weight.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the conditions include at least one factor selected from the group consisting of: a transition of the computing device into a stand-by mode; the computing device having only an internal power source; an Internet Protocol address the VPN connection uses; a wireless signal strength; a signal to noise ratio; and an application or protocol using the VPN connection.