Quarantine Queue for Email Virus Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-virus programs rely on continuous updates to detect new and modified viruses, which is time-consuming and often inadequate in preventing virus outbreaks, especially through email, as they do not effectively prevent viruses from infiltrating systems before a signature is available.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that intercepts incoming communications, places them in a quarantine queue, and adjusts quarantine time based on local alert levels and user-defined lists, allowing for multiple virus signature checks before releasing or blocking emails, thereby preventing the spread of malicious viruses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anti-virus programs rely on continuous updates to detect new viruses, then detection capability is improved, but response time is worsened as viruses can infiltrate systems before signatures are available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively quarantining incoming emails before they can be accessed by users or potentially infected systems. Instead of waiting for virus signatures to be developed and deployed, the system preemptively isolates suspicious communications in a quarantine queue, allowing time for analysis and signature creation while preventing potential infection spread.
2Reliability
If emails are quarantined for extended periods to allow for virus signature development, then security is improved, but productivity is worsened due to delayed email delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing adjustable quarantine time periods that can be modified based on threat levels, user preferences, and system conditions. The quarantine duration is not fixed but can be dynamically extended or reduced, allowing the system to balance security requirements with productivity needs depending on the specific context and risk assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality by allowing different quarantine policies for different users, email sources, or message types. Rather than applying a uniform quarantine period to all emails, the system can tailor quarantine durations and strictness based on local conditions such as user risk tolerance, sender reputation, or email content characteristics.
3Reliability
If all incoming emails are quarantined for security checks, then virus prevention is improved, but system complexity is worsened due to queue management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting potentially infected emails from the main email flow and placing them in a separate quarantine queue. This isolation mechanism prevents viruses from spreading to the primary system while allowing continued operation of the email service. The quarantine queue acts as a separate containment area that can be managed independently from the main email delivery system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for computer security, includes intercepting an incoming communication, placing the communication into a quarantine queue, selecting a communication from the quarantine queue, determining whether the selected communication contains undesirable code, determining whether a quarantine time for the selected communication has lapsed if the selected communication does not contain undesirable code and placing the selected communication back in the quarantine queue if the quarantine time has not elapsed.