Browser Extension Redirecting Untrusted Search Queries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internet users are concerned about their search query history and personal information being logged and stored by search engines, leading to potential privacy breaches and targeted advertising, necessitating a solution to protect their data from collection and storage.
Innovation Solution
A software system that monitors outgoing HTTP requests on user devices to detect untrusted search engines and redirects search queries to trusted search engines that do not store user history, using lists of untrusted and trusted URL patterns maintained on the device or an external server, ensuring privacy protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If search engines log and store user search query history, then they can improve advertising targeting and revenue, but user privacy is compromised and personal information is exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs browser extensions and proxy servers as intermediary components that sit between the user and search engines. These intermediaries intercept HTTP requests, analyze URLs against maintained lists of trusted and untrusted search engines, and automatically redirect queries away from privacy-invasive engines. This mediator approach allows the system to protect user privacy without requiring users to manually evaluate search engine trustworthiness, thus resolving the contradiction between advertising effectiveness and privacy protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If users manually avoid untrusted search engines, then their privacy is protected, but the complexity of internet usage increases and user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where browser extensions automatically maintain updated lists of trusted and untrusted search engines, perform real-time URL analysis, and execute redirection decisions without user intervention. The system autonomously monitors HTTP requests, compares them against maintained databases of search engine characteristics, and automatically routes traffic through safe channels. This automation eliminates the need for users to manually research or remember which search engines are trustworthy, thereby maintaining privacy protection while preserving ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If search engines collect detailed user information, then they can provide personalized services and increase revenue, but the risk of data breaches and misuse of personal information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the search engine ecosystem into trusted and untrusted categories based on privacy practices and security records. By maintaining separate lists of approved and blocked search engines, the system allows users to access personalized services from trusted sources while automatically blocking access to engines with poor security reputations. This segmentation approach enables personalized service capability to be maintained through trusted engines while eliminating exposure to security risks associated with untrusted engines.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of redirecting search queries from an untrusted search engine to a trusted search engine is a software application that is used to prevent personal information from being collected by untrusted search engines. The software application receives a search query URL for a desired search engine which corresponds to a search query. The search query is compared to a provided plurality of untrusted URL patterns in order to determine if the desired search engine can be trusted. If the search query URL is not found on in the plurality of untrusted URL patterns, the search is allowed to proceed. If the search query URL is found in the plurality of untrusted URL patterns, the search query is redirected to a trusted search engine. At least one trusted URL pattern is provided so that the search can be redirected to a trusted search engine.