Abstract: A method of generating or entering a password or passphrase on a computer system 1. The method comprises storing a plurality of sets of values in a memory 5 of the system 1, the values of each set defining respective elements which belong to a common domain, the domains of respective sets being distinct from one another, selecting at least one value from each stored set or from each of a plurality of the stored sets, and combining the selected values or elements thereof to form a password or passphrase.

Abstract: A method for guarding against telephony-based fraud that includes, at a telephony device, identifying a caller ID of an incoming call or a dialled number of an outgoing call attempt or a number to be dialled. The identified caller ID or dialled number or number to be dialled is then compared against a blacklist of telephone numbers. In the event that a match is found, a warning is presented to a user of the device and/or the call or call attempt is terminated.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for executing an anti_virus application on a mobile communications device. A memory card for coupled to a mobile communications device, and a boot sequence is initiated on the mobile communications device. Prior to completion of the boot sequence, a Symbian recognizer is loaded to the communications device from the memory card. The loaded Symbian recognizer is executed on the mobile communications device to automatically execute an anti-virus application, the anti-virus application also being stored on the memory card.

Abstract: A method of securing data on an electronic device comprises allowing a user of the device to select one of an encryption and decryption operating mode and an encryption only operating mode. The encryption and decryption operating mode requires that the device have access to a user passphrase, and the encryption only operating mode does not require that the device have access to the passphrase.

Abstract: A method of preventing the infection of a computer network 1 by a computer virus, where that virus can be spread by e-mail traffic. The method comprises installing at an e-mail gateway 7 of the network an anti-virus application 12, which application scans at least incoming e-mail traffic for known viruses. In the event that a new virus is detected by the provider of the anti-virus application 12, a notification of this event is sent from the provider to the anti-virus-application 12. At the anti-virus application 12, receipt of said notification results in the diversion of incoming e-mails or their attachments to a buffer 13 for safe storage.

Abstract: A method of detecting malware on a computer and comprising scanning a system memory of the computer, and/or code being injected into the system memory, for known strings indicative of banking trojans. These strings may be Universal Resource Locators and/or partial Universal Resource Locators.

Abstract: A method of encrypting a data unit, the method comprising the steps of dividing the data unit into a series of data blocks, and for each data block, applying a block cipher function to a data block counter value to generate an encrypted block counter value, performing a logical operation to combine the encrypted block counter with the data block, and applying a block cipher function to the combined data.

Abstract: A method of preventing an electronic file containing a computer virus from infecting a computer system using the Symbian™ operating system, the method comprising the steps of scanning files using an anti-virus application, and if an infected file is identified, maintaining the file in an open non-sharing state, whereby other applications running on the computer system may not operate on an infected file.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for executing an application on a mobile communications device. A memory card for connecting to a mobile communications device comprises an application for executing on the mobile communications device, and a Symbian recognizer component for automatically executing the application when the memory card is coupled to the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A method of managing a virus signature database associated with an anti-virus application, both of which are resident in a memory of a mobile wireless device 2,4. Management messages containing for example new virus signatures are sent from the network 1 to the device 2,4. In accordance with instructions contained in the management messages, individual signature entries of the virus signature database are deleted or replaced, and new signatures added.

Abstract: A method of managing a wireless device (2), the method comprising installing a management agent program in a memory of the wireless device (2), the installed management agent monitoring the status of application programs installed on the device. Management instructions are sent to the mobile device (2) from a Management Centre (5) using a wireless telecommunications network (1) and, following a receipt of the management instructions at the device, the management agent processes the instructions and manages the applications accordingly. The management agent reports the results of the processing operation to the Management Centre (5) via the wireless telecommunications network (1).

Abstract: A method of scanning electronic files for computer viruses comprises identifying at a first node 4 of a computer network 1, electronic files which require to be scanned for computer viruses. The first node 4 initiates a dialogue with a second node 7 of the network 1, the second node comprising a virus scanning application. During the dialogue, the second node 7 identifies to the first node 4 one or more portions of the electronic file required by the virus scanning application. The first node 4 transfers the identified portions to the second node 7 which then carries out a virus scanning operation. The result of this operation is then returned to the first node 4.

Abstract: A method of securing data stored on an electronic device 1, the method comprising encrypting the data using a cryptographic key derivable from or accessed using a passphrase, requiring the entry into the device of the passphrase when a user wishes to access the data, subsequently inhibiting access to the data whilst the device 1 remains active, and requiring the entry into the device of a predefined password when a user wishes to access the data, the password being different from the passphrase.

Abstract: A method of scanning electronic files for computer viruses comprises identifying at a first node 4 of a computer network 1, electronic files which require to be scanned for computer viruses. The first node 4 initiates a dialogue with a second node 7 of the network 1, the second node comprising a virus scanning application. During the dialogue, the second node 7 identifies to the first node 4 one or more portions of the electronic file required by the virus scanning application. The first node 4 transfers the identified portions to the second node 7 which then carries out a virus scanning operation. The result of this operation is then returned to the first node 4.