Early Security Risk Detection in File Downloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional security systems are ineffective in identifying security risks in downloads early enough to prevent wasting time and computing resources, as they often scan files only after they have been partially or fully downloaded, allowing malicious files to cause damage before detection.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that prioritize the download of specific segments of a file for security assessment, where the first segment required for the assessment is retrieved before other segments, allowing for early identification of security risks, potentially terminating the download if a risk is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional security systems scan files after they have been partially or fully downloaded, then the security assessment can be performed on the complete file, but time and computing resources are wasted while waiting for the download to complete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing security assessment on the first segment of the file before the complete file is downloaded. The system identifies a layout segment in the first portion that contains information about the file structure, uses this information to identify where a second segment should be located, and performs security assessment on the second segment while the download is still in progress. This allows early detection of malicious files without waiting for the entire download to complete.
2Loss of energy
If the entire file is downloaded before security scanning, then complete file analysis is possible, but computing resources are wasted on downloading large malicious files
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the file download and assessment process into distinct segments. The system identifies a layout segment in the first portion of the file that contains structural information, uses this to locate a second segment for security assessment, and performs analysis on these segments without downloading the entire file. This segmentation approach reduces computing resource waste by limiting the download and analysis to only the necessary portions of the file.
3Reliability
If security assessment is performed on segments out of download order, then early security risk identification is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the layout segment (first segment) provide advance information about the file structure and segment locations. This preliminary information enables the system to identify and retrieve the second segment for security assessment without downloading the entire file in sequential order. The layout segment acts as a guide that simplifies the retrieval process despite the non-sequential nature of the download.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for identifying security risks in downloads may include (1) identifying a request to download a file that is subject to a security assessment, (2) determining that a first segment of the file is required for the security assessment, (3) based on determining that the first segment of the file is required for the security assessment, retrieving the first segment of the file before retrieving a second segment of the file, and (4) determining, based at least in part on the first segment, that the file includes a security risk. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.