Mobile Browser VPN Switch for Secure Private Browsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices, especially smartphones, often connect to the Internet through insecure connections, posing security and privacy risks by introducing malware and leaking private user data, which can spread to organizations if used by their employees.
Innovation Solution
A mobile web browser that establishes a secure connection using a VPN, scans URLs for malware, detects and blocks trackers, and manages user privacy by allowing users to selectively block detected trackers and preventing browsing history logging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile devices connect to the Internet through insecure connections, then ease of operation is improved, but security and privacy are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a VPN (Virtual Private Network) as an intermediary component between the mobile device and the Internet. The VPN connector establishes an encrypted tunnel through which all Internet traffic passes, mediating the connection to provide security and privacy protection while maintaining ease of operation. The VPN server acts as a trusted intermediary that protects user data from eavesdropping and malware injection.
2Reliability
If a VPN connector is added to establish secure connections, then security and privacy are improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the VPN connector functionality directly into the web browser application, combining two previously separate functions (web browsing and VPN connection management) into a single integrated system. This reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate VPN client applications and simplifying the user interface to a single browser interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The browser is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a web browser and as a VPN client. The same application interface and control mechanisms are used for both browsing and VPN management, making the system more versatile while reducing the number of separate components needed.
3Reliability
If URL scanning and tracker detection features are added, then security and privacy are improved, but productivity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary scanning of URLs and web page content for malware and trackers before the user interacts with the content. The URL scanner checks links before they are clicked, and the tracker scanner identifies tracking scripts during page loading but before they fully execute. This preliminary detection prevents harmful content from affecting the user while minimizing impact on browsing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical scanning methods with automated software-based detection systems. The URL scanner and tracker scanner use algorithmic analysis and pattern recognition to quickly identify security threats without requiring manual user intervention or slow, resource-intensive traditional scanning methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile web browser embedded in a smartphone operative to open a secure and private session with a web server on the Internet via one or more cell towers, using a mobile IP address of the smartphone, the mobile web browser including a VPN connector operative to connect the smartphone to a secure VPN server and to establish a virtual IP address for the smartphone, the virtual IP address corresponding to the location of the VPN server, a switch operable to change a current IP address of the smartphone used by the mobile web browser from a non-VPN mobile IP address to the virtual IP address of the VPN server, in a seamless manner without interrupting a current session with a web server, a URL content scanner causing a URL of a web page to be scanned for potential malware, a URL blocker, a tracker scanner and a tracker blocker.