Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for protecting a computer system by providing an improved password to prevent unauthorized access to the computer system. The apparatus of the present invention generally comprises a password controller capable of comparing a received password attempt with a stored password. The stored password of the present invention comprises a time envelope that comprises at least one password segment comprising: 1) an entry event; 2) a predetermined time interval following the entry event; and 3) a terminating signal to mark the end of the password segment. Access to the computer system is authorized when password segments of a password attempt match the corresponding password segments of the stored password. The stored password of the present invention generally comprises groups of computer readable characters separated by time intervals of variable length.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for protecting a first computer system against an intrusion such as a computer virus or an unauthorized access. The apparatus comprises a second computer system that is coupled to the first computer system in a manner that permits the second computer system to receive all computer communications that are directed to the first computer system. The second computer system detects an intrusion before the intrusion reaches the first computer system. The second computer system deletes the intrusion by deleting the operating system and all other data on the second computer system. After the compromised operating system and data have been erased, a clean version of the operating system and data is supplied to the second computer system from a restoration controller within the second computer system, or from the first computer system, or from a backup copy of the clean version of the data.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for protecting a first computer system against an intrusion such as a computer virus or an unauthorized access. The apparatus comprises a second computer system that is coupled to the first computer system in a manner that permits the second computer system to receive all computer communications that are directed to the first computer system. The second computer system detects an intrusion before the intrusion reaches the first computer system. The second computer system deletes the intrusion by deleting the operating system and all other data on the second computer system. After the compromised operating system and data have been erased, a clean version of the operating system and data is supplied to the second computer system from a restoration controller within the second computer system, or from the first computer system, or from a backup copy of the clean version of the data.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for protecting a computer system by providing an improved password to prevent unauthorized access to the computer system. The apparatus of the present invention generally comprises a password controller capable of comparing a received password attempt with a stored password. The stored password of the present invention comprises a time envelope that comprises at least one password segment comprising: 1) an entry event; 2) a predetermined time interval following the entry event; and 3) a terminating signal to mark the end of the password segment. Access to the computer system is authorized when password segments of a password attempt match the corresponding password segments of the stored password. The stored password of the present invention generally comprises groups of computer readable characters separated by time intervals of variable length.