Mouse-Based Phishing Alerts Using Threat Intelligence Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Corporations face significant challenges in defending their computer networks from phishing attacks through email systems, as end-users are often unaware and susceptible to malicious phishing attempts, leading to data theft or corruption.
Innovation Solution
An anti-phishing system integrated with a computer mouse that includes a signaling mechanism, such as an electromechanical vibrator and buzzer, which alerts users to potential phishing threats based on threat intelligence data, allowing for immediate mitigation actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional email security measures (firewalls, training) are used, then network security is maintained, but users remain vulnerable to phishing attacks due to lack of awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides immediate feedback to users when they hover over or click phishing links by generating haptic vibrations and audible warnings through the mouse device, allowing users to recognize and avoid phishing attempts in real-time
Solution Approach 2:
The mouse device acts as an intermediary between the user and the phishing link, detecting mouse movements and transmitting warning signals to alert users before they can be tricked into revealing sensitive information
2Ease of operation
If users are trained to recognize phishing attempts, then awareness improves, but users may still inadvertently click malicious links due to deception
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and warning by monitoring mouse movements over email links and alerting users before they can click, preventing malicious actions before they occur
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional visual or auditory alert methods with haptic feedback through the mouse, providing a tangible physical warning that is harder to ignore or miss
3Reliability
If comprehensive security monitoring is implemented, then attack detection improves, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential security function from complex security suites by focusing specifically on detecting phishing links through mouse interaction monitoring, eliminating unnecessary complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mouse device itself performs the security monitoring and alerting functions, making the system self-sufficient and reducing the need for additional security hardware or software components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user awareness of phishing attempts with tangible warnings, improving phishing resilience and reducing the risk of data breaches by integrating AI-based software with threat intelligence databases for accurate detection and alert mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a signaling mechanism, such as an electromechanical vibrator and buzzer, which alerts users to potential phishing threats
Data Source
AI summary
A method to protect an email user against a phishing attack is described. The method includes detecting a mouse click or a mouse hovering, from a computer mouse of the email user, of an email item on a computer desktop, determining, based on a threat intelligence data source, that the email item is associated with the phishing attack, sending, in response to said determining, a phishing indicator detection signal to a signaling mechanism attached to the computer mouse, and generating, by the signaling mechanism in response to the phishing indicator detection signal, an alert signal to the email user, wherein the email user performs a mitigation action in response to the alert signal.