Cloud Malware Detection via File Signature Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current malware detection systems face inefficiencies in processing, require frequent updates, consume significant resources, and risk information leakage due to the need for centralized inspection and bandwidth-intensive data transfer, especially in large enterprise networks.
Innovation Solution
A distributed security system where a scanning agent on a computing device generates and sends file signatures to an external malware detection service, reducing data transfer by using minimal signature information, allowing only changed files to be inspected, and maintaining a local list of trusted files to minimize further transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If files are sent to a hosted malware detection service for inspection, then centralized malware detection is achieved, but data traffic consumes valuable uplink bandwidth and creates speed bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identifying features (signatures, metadata, hashes) from files and sends these to the malware detection service, rather than transmitting entire files. This extraction approach maintains detection reliability while dramatically reducing bandwidth consumption from megabytes to kilobytes or bytes per file.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being transmitted from complete file data to condensed signature information. By transforming the data representation from full files to extracted features (hashes, metadata, signatures), the system achieves the same detection goal with minimal data transfer.
2Ease of operation
If malware detection programs are distributed across multiple user devices, then local inspection capability is provided, but processing inefficiencies occur as the same file is inspected by many distributed security systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the benefits of local inspection (fast signature generation, no full file upload) with centralized detection (single source of truth for malware signatures). Each device generates local signatures and sends them to a centralized service that maintains a master signature database, merging distributed processing with centralized coordination to eliminate redundant inspections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary signature generation and local filtering before any network transmission. By pre-computing file signatures locally and only transmitting those that need verification, the system avoids redundant remote inspections and reduces network traffic before detection even occurs.
3Reliability
If malware detection software is updated periodically on user computing devices and gateway security systems, then detection accuracy is maintained, but distribution of changes is expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital signatures and cryptographic hashes as compact representations of malware detection capabilities. Instead of distributing full malware detection programs, the system distributes only signature data (bytes to kilobytes) that can be verified locally, dramatically reducing update distribution time and cost while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the update mechanism from distributing complete software programs to distributing condensed signature parameters. By changing what is being updated from full detection programs to signature databases, the system achieves rapid, efficient updates that maintain detection accuracy without the overhead of traditional software distribution.
4Measurement precision
If complete files are transmitted to external malware detection service, then thorough inspection is possible, but information leakage risk increases when sensitive documents are sent outside enterprise network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only non-sensitive identifying features (signatures, hashes, metadata) from files for external transmission, leaving sensitive content within the enterprise network. This extraction approach enables thorough malware detection by the external service while eliminating information leakage risks associated with transmitting complete sensitive documents outside the network.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances manageability, reduces processing time and upgrade costs, and minimizes information leakage by efficiently identifying and updating malware status with minimal data exchange.
Implementation Method 1
The access agent is configured to generate a signature for content residing within the network edges of the system, the signature generated using a hashing algorithm
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus for malware detection to detect and stop the distribution of malware and other undesirable content before such content reaches computing systems. A Malware Detection Service (MDS) including a processor and memory storing computer program instructions that when executed cause the processor to receive one of content or a signature of a file, responsive to receiving a signature of a file, determine a status of the file as trusted, untrusted, or unknown for malware based on the signature, responsive to receiving content of a file, generate a signature of the file and scan the content to identify the status of the content as trusted or untrusted.