Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for discriminating automatic computerized action from a human performed action. The invention is based on applying human advantage in applying sensory and cognitive skills to solving simple problems that prove to be extremely hard for computer software. Such skills include, but are not limited to processing of sensory information such as identification of objects and letters within a noisy graphical environment, signals and speech within an auditory signal, patterns and objects within a video or animation sequence. Human skills also include higher level cognitive processing such as understanding natural language and logical assignments. The method for discriminating between humans and computerized actions can be used during authentication, to limit access by automated agents, and for confirmation of actions.

Abstract: The present invention is a security gateway system positioned between an external, untrusted computing environment and an internal, trusted computing environment that converts messages received from the external environment into simplified messages and converts the simplified messages into messages suitable for use on the internal environment. The conversion involves the removal of external environment transfer protocols and the reduction of the content of the messages left after removing the protocols into a simplified representation of the content to create a simplified message. The simplified representation is then converted to an internal message by converting the simplified representation to a representation appropriate to the internal environment, including to applications operating on the internal environment, and adding internal environment protocols, including transfer protocols, to the converted message.

Abstract: A method for protecting an operating environment on a processor from a rogue program operating on the processor comprising isolating simultaneously executing programs or operating systems is disclosed. Memory space for use only by the first program while the first program is executing is allocated. Communication between the first program and the computer's operating environment is accomplished through a single link employing one of several methods including using shared memory space, a dedicated interrupt or a dedicated I/O port. The monitor manages a restricted operating environment for the first program on the processor, the restricted operating environment preventing the first program from accessing resources on the processor except for the allocated memory space the single communication link.