Malware Detection via Simulated Sandbox Artifacts

Instead of creating a true sandbox environment to detect malware, the patent inverts the approach by simulating sandbox characteristics within the malware execution environment. The system installs artifacts that mimic sandbox features (virtualized hardware, modified system calls, fake processes) to deceive malware into believing it is running in a sandbox, causing the malware to abort its malicious activity before it can execute its payload.

The patent creates copies of sandbox environment characteristics rather than using actual sandbox infrastructure. It generates artificial artifacts such as virtual device files, simulated network interfaces, and fake system processes that replicate the behavioral signatures of real sandbox environments. These copies are sufficient to trick malware detection mechanisms without requiring genuine sandbox resources.

The patent extracts only the essential characteristics of sandbox environments that are necessary to deceive malware, rather than implementing complete sandbox infrastructure. It isolates and implements specific artifacts such as virtualized device files, modified system call handlers, and synthetic process information, eliminating the need for full virtualization overhead and reducing hardware resource consumption significantly.

The system uses lightweight, easily created artifacts that consume minimal resources. These include temporary virtual device files, simple process stubs, and basic network interface simulations that can be quickly generated and discarded. The artifacts are designed to be resource-efficient while maintaining sufficient complexity to fool malware detection mechanisms.