Isolated Virtual Machine for Secure Data Downloads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current security measures for downloading data over the Internet do not guarantee safety, as they only reduce the risk of unsafe downloads but do not eliminate the possibility of viruses, spyware, and other malware, leaving software and data potentially unsafe.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a small, isolated virtual machine with the same operating system as the host, which receives and scans downloaded data using Secure Shell, ensuring that the data is tested for malware before being transferred to the host system, thereby creating a secure environment for downloads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current security monitoring programs are embedded into applications to scan downloaded components, then the risk of unsafe downloads is reduced, but the safety cannot be guaranteed and malware can still affect the host system
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the computing environment into separate segments: a host system and an isolated virtual machine. Downloaded components are scanned and tested within the virtual machine segment, which is isolated from the host system. This segmentation ensures that even if malware is present, it cannot affect the host system, thereby guaranteeing download safety while preventing malware impact.
Solution Approach 2:
A virtual machine acts as an intermediary between the Internet and the host system. All downloaded components must pass through this intermediary for scanning and testing before any potential transfer to the host. The virtual machine mediates the interaction, providing a secure buffer zone that guarantees safety while blocking malware from reaching the host.
2Measurement precision
If downloaded data is scanned using traditional security programs, then some security issues are detected, but the scanning process does not provide complete isolation and safety cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a segmented environment where the virtual machine is completely isolated from the host system. This segmentation allows for precise malware detection within the virtual machine while maintaining absolute safety for the host. The isolation ensures that detection results are reliable and that no malware can escape to affect the host system.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual machine creates an inert or safe environment for testing downloaded components. Within this controlled environment, malware can be detected and analyzed without posing any threat to the host system. The inert nature of the virtual machine environment guarantees safety while enabling accurate malware detection through comprehensive scanning and testing.
3Reliability
If a virtual machine is used to isolate and test downloaded data, then complete safety is guaranteed, but system resources and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual machine is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a download receiver, security scanner, malware testing environment, and safe transfer gateway. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the system achieves complete safety guarantees without proportionally increasing overall system complexity. The virtual machine's universal role simplifies the architecture compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method, and a computer program are provided in order to allow for secure downloading of data to a host operating system. The host operating system transmits a request to a virtual machine in order download the data from the Internet. In response, the virtual machine downloads the data and scans the data for malicious programs. If the result of the scan is negative, then the host operating system is configured to download the data from the virtual machine.