Abstract: Improved handling of couplable device recognition tasks in an electronic device such as a cell phone, smart phone, computer system, recording device or others is facilitated. Recognition of a couplable device such as a battery so as to enable exchange of power between the device and the battery or other couplable device functionality is determined by a match between one of a plurality of digital strings stored in the device and the decrypted response to an encrypted challenge derived from the one of stored strings. Control is exercised over the distribution of the encryption elements which enable the improved handling of the tasks.

Abstract: For validating computing device firmware, systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor, the code including code that acquires a firmware manifest for locally stored firmware, authenticates a digital signature of the firmware manifest, and validates contents of the locally stored firmware using the firmware manifest. The apparatus may also include code that generates a local firmware manifest from the firmware, wherein validating the contents of the firmware includes comparing the local firmware manifest to the firmware manifest. In certain embodiments, the apparatus may indicate, to a user, one of success and failure of the firmware validation. The firmware manifest may be a location-specific firmware manifest corresponding to a geographical location of the apparatus and/or computing device including the locally stored firmware.

Abstract: An aspect provides an information handling device, including: a connection to an external power supply; a processor; and a memory; the memory having instructions executable by the processor to: detect that the connection to the external power supply is providing an input of power; ascertain via the connection to the external power supply that the input of power is derived from a source having a predetermined characteristic; and automatically adjust a power consumption setting of the information handling device based on the predetermined characteristic. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: For resetting authentication tokens based on implicit credentials, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, by use of a processor, an authentication request, the request requiring an authentication token, the request not including the authentication token, verifying an implicit credential, and resetting the authentication token in response to the implicit credential matching a predefined credential.

Abstract: Provided is a technique to enhance security of a computer in a multi-OS operating environment. A memory image of a primary OS is in an active state, and a memory image of a secondary OS is in a non-active state. When switching is performed from the primary OS to the secondary OS, a runtime image is created, and a digest P is calculated and encrypted (C). When switching is performed from the secondary OS to the primary OS, a digest of the stopped runtime image is calculated. Only when comparison between the decrypted digest P and the calculated digest shows agreement, is switching of the primary OS allowed.

Abstract: Provided is a manner of switching between the operating environment of a primary OS and the operating environment of a secondary OS. In certain embodiments, a HDD keeps a runtime image of the secondary OS generated in a system memory. A DMA space for allowing the secondary OS to operate is formed in a physical address space where a memory image of the primary OS is active. The runtime image of the secondary OS is transferred to the DMA space. The operation of the memory image of the primary OS is stopped and the runtime image of the secondary OS is executed in the DMA space. Before activating the memory image of the primary OS, the runtime image of the secondary OS is saved to the HDD again.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for placing a computer in a safe and secure lock down state from a remote location using a remote command device such as a cellular telephone. The method and system includes optional security provisions before restarting the computer.

Abstract: Improved handling of battery recognition tasks in an electronic device such as a cell phone, smart phone, computer system, recording device or others is facilitated. Recognition of a battery so as to enable exchange of power between the device and the battery is determined by a match between one of a plurality of number strings stored in the device and the decrypted response to an encrypted challenge derived from the one of stored number string.

Abstract: An approach is provided that, upon receiving a keyboard event, reduces a volume of an audio input channel from a first volume level to a lower volume level. After the volume of the audio input channel is reduced, the approach waits until a system event occurs, with the system event based at least in part on the occurrence of a nondeterministic event.

Abstract: For validating computing device firmware, systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor, the code including code that acquires a firmware manifest for locally stored firmware, authenticates a digital signature of the firmware manifest, and validates contents of the locally stored firmware using the firmware manifest. The apparatus may also include code that generates a local firmware manifest from the firmware, wherein validating the contents of the firmware includes comparing the local firmware manifest to the firmware manifest. In certain embodiments, the apparatus may indicate, to a user, one of success and failure of the firmware validation. The firmware manifest may be a location-specific firmware manifest corresponding to a geographical location of the apparatus and/or computing device including the locally stored firmware.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including: establishing a connection between a first device and a second device, the first device thereby joining a mesh network to which the second device is connected; obtaining, at the first device, identifying information for a plurality of devices of the mesh network; accessing information accessible to the first device to determine a device ranking among the plurality of devices of the mesh network; after determining a ranking, obtaining information from a ranked device regarding objects available from the ranked device; and creating, using a processor, a list of available objects on the mesh network; wherein the list of available objects is ordered taking into account the objects available from the ranked devices. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product is provided that updates the firmware on a hybrid drive by reserving a memory area within the hybrid disk drive's nonvolatile memory buffer. The firmware update is then stored in the reserved memory area. The next time the platters of the hybrid disk drive spin up, the firmware update that is stored in the reserved memory area is identified. The identified update is then written to a firmware memory of a firmware that controls the operation of the hybrid drive. In one embodiment, the update is written to the firmware memory by flashing the firmware's memory. After the firmware is updated, the hybrid drive is reset. Resetting of the hybrid drive includes executing the updated firmware.

Abstract: An electronic device receives a stop position tag that indicates a stop position within first electronic content which is a first sensory type. The electronic device identifies a start position within second electronic content using the stop position tag. The second electronic content is a second sensory type that is different than the first sensory type. In turn, the electronic device executes the second electronic content at the identified start position. In one embodiment, the first sensory type is an auditory sensory type and the second sensory type is an image sensory type.

Abstract: An apparatus for cryptographic pre-boot authentication includes a cryptographic processor configured to perform cryptographic operations. The cryptographic processor includes a portion dedicated to the boot interface. The apparatus also includes a storage device storing machine readable code and a processor executing the machine readable code. The machine readable code includes a storage module storing a first cryptographic key on the cryptographic processor. The machine readable code further includes an encryption module encrypting an electronic message with a second cryptographic key. The machine readable code also includes a decryption module decrypting the electronic message with the first cryptographic key where an authorized user is granted access to a device upon successful decryption of the electronic message.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a method, including: detecting two devices are proximate to one another utilizing a device component; comparing received device motion information to a predetermined motion; and after matching the received device motion information to a predetermined motion, transferring an object between the two devices. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: An aspect provides a method, including: gathering, with an information handling device, client system identification data of a client system; providing, with the information handling device, the client system with at least one cryptographic key; transmitting, with the information handling device, the client system identification data and a request for security policy override to a third party; receiving, with the information handling device, encrypted approval data from the third party; and transmitting, with the information handling device, encrypted approval data to the client system. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: Provided is a technique to enhance security of a computer in a multi-OS operating environment. A memory image of a primary OS is in an active state, and a memory image of a secondary OS is in a non-active state. When switching is performed from the primary OS to the secondary OS, a runtime image is created, and a digest P is calculated and encrypted (C). When switching is performed from the secondary OS to the primary OS, a digest of the stopped runtime image is calculated. Only when comparison between the decrypted digest P and the calculated digest shows agreement, is switching of the primary OS allowed.

Abstract: Provided is a manner of switching between the operating environment of a primary OS and the operating environment of a secondary OS. In certain embodiments, a HDD keeps a runtime image of the secondary OS generated in a system memory. A DMA space for allowing the secondary OS to operate is formed in a physical address space where a memory image of the primary OS is active. The runtime image of the secondary OS is transferred to the DMA space. The operation of the memory image of the primary OS is stopped and the runtime image of the secondary OS is executed in the DMA space. Before activating the memory image of the primary OS, the runtime image of the secondary OS is saved to the HDD again.

Abstract: For resetting authentication tokens based on implicit credentials, a method is disclosed that includes receiving, by use of a processor, an authentication request, the request requiring an authentication token, the request not including the authentication token, verifying an implicit credential, and resetting the authentication token in response to the implicit credential matching a predefined credential.

Abstract: An approach is provided that receives an audio request from a request source while an information handling machine, such as a computer system, is in a muted state. The request source is compared with a list of one more un-mute sources stored in a memory. If the comparison reveals that the request source is included in the list of un-mute sources, then the audio request is audibly played.