Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a request from a lower privileged process executing on a computing device to access a privileged firmware mode of the computing device and accessing a set of access policies for detecting whether the request is an unauthorized access to the privileged firmware mode. The method further includes determining, based on at least part of a content of the request and on the set of access policies, whether the request to access a privileged firmware mode is authorized; and denying or permitting, based on the determination, access by the lower privileged process to the privileged firmware mode.

Abstract: A method includes enabling, by a tethering device that is tethered to a tethered device, a firewall to redirect network traffic from the tethered device to an authentication application executing on the tethering device. The method also includes receiving, by the tethering device from the tethered device, a user certificate of the tethered device during an authentication process. The method further includes verifying, by the tethering device, the user certificate of the tethered device using a certificate authority (CA) certificate of the tethered device that is installed on the tethering device. In addition, the method includes, in response to successful verification of the user certificate of the tethered device, disabling the firewall to allow the network traffic to and from the tethered device.

Abstract: A method includes enabling, by a tethering device that is tethered to a tethered device, a firewall to redirect network traffic from the tethered device to an authentication application executing on the tethering device. The method also includes receiving, by the tethering device from the tethered device, a user certificate of the tethered device during an authentication process. The method further includes verifying, by the tethering device, the user certificate of the tethered device using a certificate authority (CA) certificate of the tethered device that is installed on the tethering device. In addition, the method includes, in response to successful verification of the user certificate of the tethered device, disabling the firewall to allow the network traffic to and from the tethered device.