Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for simultaneously installing user-input-dependent software packages on multiple devices are disclosed. In one example, an exemplary method for performing such a task may comprise: 1) initiating installation of a software package on each of a plurality of client devices, 2) receiving, from each client device, a visual image generated during installation of the software package that depicts an installation step that requires user input, 3) consolidating the visual images into a consolidated view, 4) displaying, via an installation-management interface, the consolidated view to a user of the computing device, 5) receiving, via the installation-management interface, user input from the user for completing the installation step, and then 6) completing the installation step by sending the user input to each client device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for executing a software package from within random access memory may include (1) identifying a computing device that contains both random access memory and firmware updatable read only memory, (2) providing a network accessible software package repository, (3) providing a download agent within the firmware updateable read only memory, the download agent being programmed to, (4) create a working area within the random access memory by emulating persistent storage, (5) access the software package repository through a network connection to extract a software package, and (6) execute the software package in the working area of the random access memory that emulates persistent storage. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus managing calls for call-related calendar entries stored on a device is described. In some examples, calendar entries stored in the device are parsed to detect call-related calendar entries. A telephone number associated with each of the call-related calendar entries is extracted. An invocator is provided in the device that is configured to cause the device to dial the telephone number associated with a first call-related calendar entry of the call-related calendar entries that is within a temporal threshold of a current time maintained by the device.

Abstract: A storage farm is maintained, on which user generated publishable content is stored. Users can copy generated content to the storage farm for automatic publishing to associated target sites. User login information for the plurality of publication sites is maintained, such that the system can use the login information to login to the various publication sites as a given user. The publishable content stored in the storage farm is compared to publishable content published on the associated publication sites. Responsive to finding publishable content on at least one publication site that is not present on the storage farm, that publishable content can be aggregated to the storage farm for future access by the associated user. Responsive to finding publishable content on the storage farm not published on an associated publication site, that publishable content can be automatically published.

Abstract: Malicious code detected on a host computer system is remediated. Further, upon a determination that the user's personal identifiable information (PII) was previously exposed to the malicious code, the user is notified that the user may be a victim of theft of the user's personal identifiable information. The notification contains sufficient information for the user to take proactive steps to reduce the consequences of the personal identifiable information theft such as to contact the user's credit card company to prevent or minimize any loss associated with the personal identifiable information theft.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying domain name abuse in web-based content is described. In one embodiment, the method for identifying domain name abuse in web-based content to secure a computer comprising processing a first domain name and modifying the first domain name using a at least one rule for replacing characters. The modified first domain name indicates an imitation of a second domain name by the first domain name.

Abstract: Threat emergence dates as well as file modification and scanning history are tracked to determine which files need to be scanned for possible infection by various attacking agents. Information concerning which scan engines are used to scan for the presence of different attacking agents is also tracked. Where given files only need to be scanned for a subset of all possible threats and the relevant scanning code resides in only a subset of all the scan engines, only the required scan engines are initialized, loaded or called in order to scan those files.

Abstract: A graphical authentication identifier is used to facilitate automatic authentication of a user. A graphical identifier authentication system receives a request from an authenticating entity for a onetime use graphical authentication identifier. In response to the received request, a onetime use graphical authentication identifier to be displayed by the authenticating entity is generated. A request for user authentication information by the authenticating entity is encoded in the graphical authentication identifier, which is transmitted to the authenticating entity for display (e.g., on a login screen). The onetime use graphical authentication identifier being displayed by the authenticating entity is captured by a registered user operated computing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aggregating notices and alerts (alerts) into an aggregate machine readable feed wherein the alerts are retrieved from various information sources. One embodiment of the invention is a method and apparatus providing an alert via an aggregate machine readable feed, comprising receiving an alert from various information sources, converting the retrieved alert into an aggregate machine readable format, and placing the aggregate machine readable formatted alert into an aggregate machine readable feed.

Abstract: An automated wireless synchronization platform allows users to synchronize files and folders between devices, while transparently providing content transformation services. The content transformation services ensure that content is synchronized to target devices in the appropriate format, at a proper balance of size and quality to be ideally output on the target devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating the performance impact of background or idle time processing during interactive computing sessions. One embodiment of the present invention is a method for mitigating performance impact of background or idle time processing on interactive applications comprising identifying executable and data pages in physical memory that are associated with an interactive application that is temporarily unused and preventing any of the identified executable and data pages from paging out.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for managing authentication may include identifying authentication-capabilities information of an online service. The computer-implemented method may also include identifying, within the authentication-capabilities information, a specification indicating how a remote computing agent may interact with the online service to perform an authentication function supported by the online service. The computer-implemented method may further include using the specification to interact with the online service to perform the authentication function. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A parental policy is enforced for online purchases. A parent enters a parental policy indicating items that are prohibited for a child. When the child attempts to add an item to a wish list, it is determined whether the item is permitted according to the policy. If so, the addition of the item to the wish list is allowed to proceed. If the policy prohibits the item, the addition of the item to the wish list is blocked. Additionally, the parent can be informed (via email, telephone, etc.) of the attempt to add the item to the wish list. The same logic can be applied to attempts to purchase items for children, or attempts to purchase items by children.

Abstract: The performance of a boot sequence is improved by presenting the user with easy to read information concerning the performance cost of each boot time application, and allowing the user to remove processes from the boot sequence or uninstall them altogether. Processes associated with the boot sequence are identified, and their corresponding performance cost is determined as percentage of the performance cost of the entire boot sequence, or according to the time they take to execute. The identified processes and their associated performance costs are presented to the user, along with a user interface component for selecting processes to remove from the boot sequence and/or uninstall. Responsive to input from the user, selected processes are removed from the boot sequence and/or uninstalled as directed.

Abstract: Techniques for providing improved perpetrator imaging are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for providing improved perpetrator imaging comprising identifying a client device as at least one of lost and stolen, detecting, on the client device, a difference in first pixel data associated with a first frame of a visual image and second pixel data associated with a second frame of the visual image, and capturing, on the client device, a plurality of photographs in response to detecting the difference.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a file set may include identifying a file set and identifying a key file for the file set. The method may also include transmitting a key-file identifier to a second computing system. A first computing system may receive first and second file identifiers from a second computing system. The first computing system may determine whether the file set comprises a file identified by the first file identifier, and whether the file set comprises a file identified by the second file identifier. The method also includes transmitting a result of the determination to the second computing system. A method for determining a file set on a second computing device is also disclosed. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for resolving a cousin domain name to detect web-based fraud is described. In one embodiment, the method for resolving cousin domain names of a legitimate domain name comprising applying at least one rule to a domain name to generate one or more candidate cousin domain names and comparing the at least one candidate cousin domain name with legitimate domain information to identify the legitimate domain name that is imitated by at least one portion of the domain name.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enhancing domain-name-server responses may include: 1) receiving a domain-name-system request, 2) identifying a domain of the domain-name-system request, 3) retrieving classification information relating to the domain from a third-party system, and 4) including the classification information in a response to the domain-name-system request. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Quarantine periods longer than anticipated working lifetimes for phishing websites are used to protect users from phishing attacks. A central server or the like receives data indicating user attempts to submit confidential information to websites from a plurality of user computers. The received data is aggregated, and used to track website activity concerning solicitation of confidential information. The central server acquires and maintains current statistical data concerning phishing website lifetimes. The aggregated data concerning attempts by users to submit confidential information to websites and the current statistics concerning phishing website lifetimes are used to determine appropriate quarantine periods for websites, which can be enforced when users try to transmit confidential information to these websites.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for performing selective deep packet inspection may include 1) identify a traffic flow that includes a stream of data packets, 2) sample at least one packet from the stream of data packets, 3) analyze the sampled packet using a computing resource to determine whether the traffic flow is trustworthy, 4) determine that the traffic flow is trustworthy based on analyzing the sampled packet, and 5) divert the traffic flow to a hardware accelerator in response to determining that the traffic flow is trustworthy. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.