Browser Plug-in Pseudo-User Profiles for Privacy Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unethical actors exploit users' internet usage data to target vulnerable individuals with scams and fraudulent activities by identifying demographic information and preferences, making users susceptible to malicious tactics.

Innovation Solution

Implementing automated internet browsing sessions using pseudo-user profiles, where a browser plug-in executes sessions based on generated parameters, creating inconsistent data points that prevent accurate identification of users' demographics and preferences, thereby deterring unethical actors from targeting them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If automated browsing sessions are executed to generate inconsistent data points, then user privacy protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser privacy protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the user's browsing session characterized by inconsistent data points that mimic real user behavior patterns. This virtual browsing session copy is executed in a controlled environment to generate protective data without affecting the actual user experience, thereby protecting privacy while managing complexity through simulation rather than direct intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer between the user and unethical actors that processes and filters data. This intermediary generates the inconsistent data points and manages the automated browsing sessions, shielding the actual user from direct exposure to harmful factors while maintaining system manageability through a dedicated intermediate processing layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If automated browsing sessions with pseudo-user profiles are implemented, then protection against fraudulent activities is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against fraudulent activitiesVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically executing browsing sessions and generating protective data points without requiring active user participation. The automated process handles the complexity of creating inconsistent data patterns and managing virtual browsing sessions, allowing users to benefit from fraud protection while maintaining simple, uninterrupted interaction with their devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4224350A1Executing automated browsing sessions to hide user session characteristics
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC
  • EP4224350A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4224350A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4224350A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for executing automatic internet browsing sessions using pseudo-user profiles. In some embodiments, a plug-in integrated by a browser receives a request to execute an automated browsing session for the user profile. The plug-in retrieves a set of parameters associated with the user profile. The set of parameters comprise one or more rules for executing an automated browsing session. The plug-in executes the automated browsing session by automatically navigating to one or more websites, as indicated in the set of parameters. The plug-in interacts with the one or more websites based on the set of parameters.