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Abstract

An I/O port locking computer security system is implemented in the power management module of the hardware-software interface program (BIOS). A hotkey sequence of keystrokes activates the portlock feature and a system management interrupt signal (SMI) is generated. A SMI handler routine receives the interrupt signal and generates a signal to a hardware device handler. The device handler receives the signal and then disables various data transfer I/O ports on the computer (e.g., serial, parallel, fax, modem, floppy drives, and infrared communication ports). I/O ports in the disabled state cannot be accessed. Thus, data in the computer cannot be transmitted, copied, or 'beamed' via infrared, to an unauthorized system or medium. I/O ports in the disabled state are enabled after receiving a password and a SMI interrupt signal is generated. A SMI handler receives the interrupt signal and generates a signal to a hardware device handler. The device handler receives the signal and then enables various I/O ports on the computer. Enablement or disablement of the portlock feature, the hotkey keystroke sequence, and the password are maintained in CMOS computer memory. Such elements can be altered in the computer BIOS setup program.

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