Malware Cleanup via Automated Cloud Backup and Factory Reset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of mobile radio-capable terminals infected with malware often fail to clean their devices due to lack of knowledge and effort, leading to continued data risks and network instability, as existing solutions do not adequately support users in resetting their devices to a factory default state while securing personal data.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves a security app on the infected device backing up uninfected data to a cloud storage system before resetting to the factory default state, with automated processes and user support for data recovery, using SMS or RCS messages to restore data after cleanup, ensuring minimal data loss and simplifying the cleanup process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually reset their infected devices to factory default state, then malware is removed effectively, but users face high effort and complexity in data backup and recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic data backup and recovery without requiring manual user intervention. The backup agent automatically identifies uninfected data, backs it up to cloud storage, and restores it after factory reset, enabling the device to clean itself while preserving user data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs data backup before the factory reset operation. The backup agent proactively identifies and secures uninfected data in cloud storage before the cleanup process begins, ensuring data is preserved before the critical reset operation occurs.
2Reliability
If users are notified to clean their infected devices, then network security is improved, but users lack knowledge and support to complete the cleanup process
Solution Approach 1:
The system automates the entire cleanup process including data identification, backup, and recovery. Users simply receive a notification and the system handles all technical steps automatically, eliminating the need for users to understand or execute complex cleanup procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup agent acts as an intermediary between the user and the complex cleanup process. It translates user intent (receiving a notification) into automated actions (data backup, factory reset, data recovery), shielding users from technical complexity while achieving security goals.
3Ease of operation
If personal data is preserved during malware cleanup, then user experience is maintained, but data loss risks increase without proper backup mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs data backup before the factory reset operation. The backup agent proactively identifies and secures uninfected data in cloud storage before the cleanup process begins, ensuring data is preserved before the critical reset operation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a safety cushion by backing up data to cloud storage before the factory reset. This preliminary protective measure cushions against potential data loss during the cleanup process, allowing users to recover their data even if something goes wrong during reset.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for assisting a user of a mobile communication-enabled terminal device (MT) in cleaning their MT infected with malware, wherein the cleaning is carried out by resetting the MT to its factory default state. Before the MT is reset, a security app, specifically designed for this purpose and processed by the MT, establishes a connection from the MT, registered with a mobile network operator, to a cloud storage system addressed by configuration data stored in the security app. Copies of data stored on the MT, classified as uninfected by the security app, are saved as backups in the allocated cloud storage.This data is transmitted back to the MT after the MT is reset and a link is opened, the aforementioned link being presented on a display of the MT by a message transmitted to the reset MT registered with the mobile network from a network facility of the network operator interacting with the cloud storage system, or by a website provided on the Internet that opens automatically as a result of receiving this message.