Client-Only VPN With Local DNS Filtering for Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VPN technologies are hindered by closed operating systems that sandbox applications, preventing comprehensive security functions, and content filtering methods cause user confusion with false security warnings and HTTPS issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a client-only VPN on a single device, which simulates a VPN server to provide unencrypted local communication, allowing dynamic filtering and secure content handling without external servers, and using a local DNS proxy to make intelligent filtering decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional VPN server architecture is used, then security and privacy are provided, but server costs and connection delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a client-only VPN where the client device performs VPN functions locally without requiring an external server. The device creates virtual network interfaces and routes traffic through local processing, eliminating server infrastructure costs while maintaining security and privacy protections.
2Reliability
If traditional VPN server architecture is used, then security and privacy are provided, but connection delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the VPN server functionality from external infrastructure and relocates it to the client device. By removing the external server component and implementing VPN capabilities locally through virtual network interfaces and local routing, connection delays are eliminated while security is maintained through local traffic processing.
3Reliability
If content filtering is implemented through traditional methods, then security is improved, but user confusion occurs due to false security warnings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local DNS proxy as an intermediary component that handles content filtering requests. The DNS proxy intercepts and resolves domain names locally, enabling intelligent filtering decisions to be made at the DNS level before traffic reaches applications. This approach provides accurate security warnings rather than false alerts, improving both security and user experience.
4Reliability
If sandboxing is enforced by closed operating systems, then application security is improved, but comprehensive security functions are prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent circumvents operating system sandboxing limitations by implementing VPN functionality at the network interface level rather than within application sandboxes. By creating virtual network interfaces and implementing routing at the system network layer, the solution provides comprehensive security functions including content filtering and traffic management while maintaining compatibility with closed operating system sandboxing mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed in one example a computing apparatus, including: a hardware platform, including a processor and a memory; and executable instructions encoded in the memory to provide a client-only virtual private network (VPN) including a VPN client and a VPN server implementation on a single physical device, wherein the VPN client is configured to communicatively couple to the VPN server and to provide proxied Internet protocol (IP) communication services.