Firewall IP Address Management via ISP Grouping

The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between external devices and the protected internal device. This intermediary automatically determines whether to block IP addresses by analyzing communication patterns and behaviors, rather than relying solely on administrator judgment. The intermediary system maintains a dynamic block list based on observed malicious activities, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining security and accurately identifying which IPs to block.

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the firewall continuously monitors communication patterns between internal and external devices. When malicious behavior is detected (such as port scanning or unauthorized access attempts), the system automatically feeds this information back to update the block list. This feedback loop enables the firewall to adaptively improve its blocking decisions over time, resolving the difficulty in determining which IP addresses should be blocked.

The firewall system performs self-service by automatically generating, updating, and managing the block and allow lists without requiring continuous manual intervention. The system autonomously analyzes traffic patterns, identifies malicious IPs, and updates its rule sets automatically. This self-service capability maintains comprehensive security control while eliminating the manual complexity of managing extensive firewall rule lists.

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing default blocking rules for obviously malicious IP addresses and patterns. Common malicious IPs and ranges are pre-blocked before they can cause harm, and the system proactively prepares response rules based on predicted attack patterns. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of reactive rule management while maintaining strong security control.

The patent inverts the traditional firewall approach by implementing a system that automatically learns and adapts to legitimate traffic patterns rather than requiring administrators to pre-configure extensive allow lists. Instead of blocking all external IPs and manually creating exceptions, the system starts with a neutral stance and automatically permits established legitimate communication while blocking anomalies. This inversion dramatically simplifies operation while maintaining security against unknown threats.

The firewall performs self-service by automatically distinguishing between legitimate and malicious traffic through behavioral analysis. The system autonomously manages the block and allow lists without requiring administrators to manually evaluate each IP address. This self-service capability maintains high security against unknown threats while making the system extremely easy to operate, as administrators simply need to define high-level policies rather than manage individual IP rules.