Abstract: The mobile device stores a plurality of communication profiles comprising one or more local communication profiles and a global communication profile. The mobile device determines local access requirements for connecting to a local cellular network operator and determines whether the plurality of communication profiles comprises a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements. When the plurality of communication profiles does not comprise a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements: the mobile device connects to a global cellular network operator using the global communication profile; receives, from the global cellular network operator, a new local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements and connects to the local cellular network operator using the new local communication profile.

Abstract: The mobile device stores a plurality of communication profiles comprising one or more local communication profiles and a global communication profile. The mobile device determines local access requirements for connecting to a local cellular network operator and determines whether the plurality of communication profiles comprises a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements. When the plurality of communication profiles does not comprise a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements: the mobile device connects to a global cellular network operator using the global communication profile; receives, from the global cellular network operator, a new local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements and connects to the local cellular network operator using the new local communication profile.

Abstract: A method is provided, including establishing a plurality of context profiles for a user; detecting an event associated with a request for personal information of the user; generating a request for consent to share the personal information of the user with a third party; sending, to the user, the request for consent to share the personal information of the user with the third party; receiving, from the user, consent to share at least a subset of the requested personal information with the third party when at least a first context profile, of the plurality of context profiles, is active; determining an active context profile for the user based on one or more signals indicative of the user's context; determining whether the active context profile matches the first context profile; in accordance with a determination that the active context profile matches the first context profile, sharing the personal information of the user with the third party.

Abstract: A method is provided, including establishing a plurality of context profiles for a user, at least one context profile is associated with: (i) subject areas pertinent to the at least one context profile (ii) permissions identifying respective third parties with which personal information can be shared when the at least one context profile is active; (iii) permissions identifying what personal information can be shared with respective third parties when the at least one context profile is active; (iv) permissions identifying respective third parties that are permitted to contact the user when the at least one context profile is active; and (v) permissions identifying how respective third parties may contact the user when the at least one context profile is active; when the at least one context profile is active, operating in one of two or more modes (e.g., a regular mode or a discovery mode).

Abstract: A method is provided, including establishing a plurality of context profiles for a user, at least one context profile is associated with: (i) subject areas pertinent to the at least one context profile (ii) permissions identifying respective third parties with which personal information can be shared when the at least one context profile is active; (iii) permissions identifying what personal information can be shared with respective third parties when the at least one context profile is active; (iv) permissions identifying respective third parties that are permitted to contact the user when the at least one context profile is active; and (v) permissions identifying how respective third parties may contact the user when the at least one context profile is active; when the at least one context profile is active, operating in one of two or more modes (e.g., a regular mode or a discovery mode).

Abstract: A method is provided, including establishing a plurality of context profiles for a user, at least one context profile is associated with: (i) subject areas pertinent to the at least one context profile (ii) permissions identifying respective third parties with which personal information can be shared when the at least one context profile is active; (iii) permissions identifying what personal information can be shared with respective third parties when the at least one context profile is active; (iv) permissions identifying respective third parties that are permitted to contact the user when the at least one context profile is active; and (v) permissions identifying how respective third parties may contact the user when the at least one context profile is active; when the at least one context profile is active, operating in one of two or more modes (e.g., a regular mode or a discovery mode).

Abstract: The mobile device stores a plurality of communication profiles comprising one or more local communication profiles and a global communication profile. The mobile device determines local access requirements for connecting to a local cellular network operator and determines whether the plurality of communication profiles comprises a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements. When the plurality of communication profiles does not comprise a local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements: the mobile device connects to a global cellular network operator using the global communication profile; receives, from the global cellular network operator, a new local communication profile that satisfies the local access requirements and connects to the local cellular network operator using the new local communication profile.

Abstract: A request is received to establish a VPN session with a server-side system from at least one client computer out of a plurality of client computers coupled to a modem within a client-side system. The request contains login details for a user of the at least one client computer. A network address, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) or MAC (Media Access Control) address of the at least one client computer is then determined. The user is authenticated based on the user login details, and a VPN tunnel is established over the modem between the at least one client computer having the network address and the server-side system. The same method is then used for the remainder of the plurality of client computers coupled to the modem within the client-side system.

Abstract: The system for content filtering includes at least one content server that stores content. The system also includes at least one client computer configured to transmit a request for the content to the at least one content server. The request contains an address of the content server and a port number associated with such a request for the content. A gateway is coupled to the at least one client computer. The gateway is configured to receive and renumber the request with a new rarely used port number associated with a filter privilege of a user of the at least one client computer. The system also includes a content filtering server, configured to block restricted content based on the filter privilege. Finally, a switch is coupled to the gateway, the content filtering server, and the content server. The switch is configured to listen for the request on the rarely used port number and to redirect the request to the content filtering server.

Abstract: The system for content filtering includes at least one content server that stores content. The system also includes at least one client computer configured to transmit a request for the content to the at least one content server. The request contains an address of the content server and a port number associated with such a request for the content. A gateway is coupled to the at least one client computer. The gateway is configured to receive and renumber the request with a new rarely used port number associated with a filter privilege of a user of the at least one client computer. The system also includes a content filtering server, configured to block restricted content based on the filter privilege. Finally, a switch is coupled to the gateway, the content filtering server, and the content server. The switch is configured to listen for the request on the rarely used port number and to redirect the request to the content filtering server.

Abstract: Data is received by a service provider that is indicative of a selected server-side system and a selected client-side system between which a VPN is to be established. Security settings are then automatically determined for the client-side system based at least partially on the data. The security settings are preferably public and private keys and/or a Digital Certificate. VPN configuration details, including the security settings, are then automatically transmitted to the client-side system. The client side system then uses the configuration details to automatically configure itself to establish a secure VPN tunnel between the server-side system and itself. VPN configuration details may also be automatically transmitted to a VPN concentrator within the server-side system. A Virtual Private Network tunnel is subsequently established between the client-side system and the server-side system, and the tunnel's operation verified. A computer program product for configuring a VPN system is also provided.

Abstract: A host name query is received by a modem from a client computer. The host name query is simultaneously transmitted from the modem to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers. A response is returned to the client computer from the modem, where the response is based on the host name query and any responses received from the DNS servers. In a preferred embodiment at least one address associated with the host name query is acquired from the DNS servers. The client computer then sends a request for content to the address. If more than one address is returned, all but one of the addresses is eliminated. This can be done by rejecting all but the most recent address, or rejecting all addresses not provided by a service provider DSN server.

Abstract: A host name query is received by a modem from a client computer. The host name query is simultaneously transmitted from the modem to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers. A response is returned to the client computer from the modem, where the response is based on the host name query and any responses received from the DNS servers. In a preferred embodiment at least one address associated with the host name query is acquired from the DNS servers. The client computer then sends a request for content to the address. If more than one address is returned, all but one of the addresses is eliminated. This can be done by rejecting all but the most recent address, or rejecting all addresses not provided by a service provider DNS server.

Abstract: An apparatus for communicating with a communication network includes a processor, communication circuitry that interfaces with a communication network, and a bus connecting the processor to the communication circuitry. A port is connected to the bus, which communicates using an external communication protocol specified by a peripheral device. A memory, comprising a translator module that converts signals between the external communication protocol and an internal communication protocol operates such that communication signals transmitted to the port are converted from the internal communication protocol to the external communication protocol and signals received by the port are converted from the external communication protocol to the internal communication protocol.

Abstract: A request is received to establish a VPN session with a server-side system from at least one client computer out of a plurality of client computers coupled to a modem within a client-side system. The request contains login details for a user of the at least one client computer. A network address, such as an IP (Internet Protocol) or MAC (Media Access Control) address of the at least one client computer is then determined. The user is authenticated based on the user login details, and a VPN tunnel is established over the modem between the at least one client computer having the network address and the server-side system. The same method is then used for the remainder of the plurality of client computers coupled to the modem within the client-side system.

Abstract: Data is received by a service provider that is indicative of a selected server-side system and a selected client-side system between which a VPN is to be established. Security settings are then automatically determined for the client-side system based at least partially on the data. The security settings are preferably public and private keys and/or a Digital Certificate. VPN configuration details, including the security settings, are then automatically transmitted to the client-side system. The client side system then uses the configuration details to automatically configure itself to establish a secure VPN tunnel between the server-side system and itself. VPN configuration details may also be automatically transmitted to a VPN concentrator within the server-side system. A Virtual Private Network tunnel is subsequently established between the client-side system and the server-side system, and the tunnel's operation verified. A computer program product for configuring a VPN system is also provided.

Abstract: A host name query is received by a modem from a client computer. The host name query is simultaneously transmitted from the modem to a plurality of Domain Name System (DNS) servers. A response is returned to the client computer from the modem, where the response is based on the host name query and any responses received from the DNS servers. In a preferred embodiment at least one address associated with the host name query is acquired from the DNS servers. The client computer then sends a request for content to the address. If more than one address is returned, all but one of the addresses is eliminated. This can be done by rejecting all but the most recent address, or rejecting all addresses not provided by a service provider DNS server.