Controller Preventing Virus Spread via Automatic File Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The widespread use of portable storage devices has led to the rapid spread of computer viruses, as infected devices can rewrite automatic executing files, causing chain infections when connected to a computer host, with existing technologies failing to effectively prevent this spread.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a microprocessor unit, interface units, and a data management unit is used to detect and replace automatic executing files with predetermined data, preventing the execution of infected files and thus halting the virus spread, employing a storage system that includes a connector, storage medium, and data management unit to transmit replacement data when an automatic executing file is read by the computer host.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If portable storage devices are used for data exchange, then convenience and productivity are improved, but the risk of computer virus spread increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the controller's data management unit) that sits between the storage medium and the computer host. This intermediary detects automatic executing files and replaces their content with predetermined safe data, thereby mediating the interaction and preventing virus transmission while allowing normal data exchange to continue
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively replacing the content of automatic executing files with predetermined data before the computer host can execute them. This preemptive measure prevents the harmful effect (virus execution) from occurring in the first place, while the storage device remains functional for legitimate data exchange
2Ease of operation
If automatic executing files are allowed to be read and executed, then system functionality is improved, but security is worsened due to virus execution
Solution Approach 1:
The controller's data management unit acts as an intermediary that intercepts read operations for automatic executing files. It replaces the file content with predetermined safe data before transmission to the computer host, thereby maintaining the apparent functionality of automatic execution while actually preventing harmful code from running
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a safe copy of the automatic executing file structure with predetermined data instead of the original potentially infected content. This copy maintains the file's functional appearance and structure but replaces the harmful content, allowing the system to operate normally without executing actual virus code
3Adaptability or versatility
If the storage device is set to readable and writable mode, then data exchange flexibility is improved, but vulnerability to virus writing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller's data management unit serves as an intermediary layer that monitors and controls file operations. Even when the storage device is in readable and writable mode, this intermediary detects automatic executing files and replaces their content with predetermined data, thereby maintaining operational flexibility while blocking virus writing attempts
Data Source
AI summary
A controller capable of preventing spread of computer viruses is provided. The controller includes a microprocessor unit, and a first interface unit, a second interface unit, a comparing unit and a filter unit which are coupled to the microprocessor unit. The first interface unit is coupled to a storage medium, and the second interface unit is coupled to a computer host. The comparing unit determines whether data read form the storage medium by the computer host is an automatic executing file. And, the filter unit replaces the read data with a predetermined data and transmit the predetermined data to the computer host when the read data is the automatic executing file. Accordingly, the controller is capable of preventing the spread of the computer viruses designed in an automatic executing file.