Network Browser Scanning for Unwanted Content Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computer users face challenges in identifying unwanted content, such as malware and spyware, which can be difficult to distinguish from legitimate content, and some security applications may provide false security or pose threats themselves, highlighting a need for effective scanning mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for scanning data for unwanted content and associated sites in response to user requests, utilizing network browsers, where data is analyzed before download through virus scanners, content scanners, and behavioral analysis, with responses sent to users via the network, including options for manual and automated analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional security applications are used to scan for unwanted content, then users may feel secure, but the security may be false and the applications themselves may pose threats

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity reliabilityVSAvoidfalse security and application threats

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary scanning system that acts as a mediator between the user and potentially harmful content. This intermediary system performs independent verification of content safety before delivery to the user, rather than relying on potentially compromised local security applications. The intermediary scanner serves as a trusted third party that can accurately identify unwanted content without being subject to the same reliability issues as traditional security software.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If users attempt to identify unwanted content themselves, then they may avoid false security, but it is almost impossible for average users to determine safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent safety detection accuracyVSAvoiduser ability to identify unsafe content

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The scanning system performs self-service by automatically analyzing content for unwanted material without requiring user expertise. The system independently executes comprehensive scans, evaluates content safety, and provides results to users who lack technical knowledge. This eliminates the need for users to possess specialized security skills while maintaining high detection accuracy through automated analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If comprehensive scanning is performed to accurately identify unwanted content, then security reliability improves, but scanning time and system resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunwanted content identification accuracyVSAvoidscanning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary scanning and evaluation of content before it is fully downloaded or executed by the user. By conducting the security assessment in advance, the system prevents users from wasting time downloading or interacting with harmful content. The preliminary action of scanning occurs server-side or in a controlled environment, saving user time and device resources while maintaining comprehensive security checks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8856931B2Network browser system, method, and computer program product for scanning data for unwanted content and associated unwanted sites

Publication Date: 2014.10.07 MCAFEE LLC

AI summary

A system, method, and computer program product are provided for scanning data for unwanted content and unwanted sites in response to a user request. In use, a user request is received via a network to scan data prior to downloading the data utilizing a network browser. In addition, the data is scanned for unwanted content and associated unwanted sites in response to the user request. Further, a response is sent to the user via the network.