Network Protection Module for Secure Communication via Intermediary Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Public computer networks, especially wireless and unfamiliar connections, are vulnerable to eavesdropping, allowing hackers to steal confidential information due to the lack of secure communication protocols.

Innovation Solution

A network protection module creates a secure communication connection through a protection server when communicating with web servers that do not support secure protocols, either upon user request or automatically upon detection of protected addresses or data, using encryption protocols like SSL to encrypt data and route it through a protection server.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user connects to a public computer network (e.g., wireless hotspot), then network accessibility and convenience are improved, but vulnerability to eavesdropping and data theft increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork accessibilityVSAvoideavesdropping risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protection server as an intermediary component between the user computer and the web server. This protection server establishes a secure communication connection with the user computer and routes traffic through it, thereby mediating the communication to protect against eavesdropping on public networks without preventing network accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If secure communication protocols (e.g., SSL) are implemented, then data confidentiality is improved, but compatibility with web servers that do not support secure protocols deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata confidentialityVSAvoidserver compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protection server acts as a mediator that implements secure communication protocols with the user computer while maintaining compatibility with web servers that do not support secure protocols. It translates and routes communications between the secure channel and standard web server protocols, thus resolving the compatibility issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication path is segmented into two separate connections: a secure encrypted connection between the user computer and protection server, and a standard unencrypted connection between the protection server and web server. This segmentation allows each connection to use appropriate protocols independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7849166B1Creation of secure communication connections through computer networks

Publication Date: 2010.12.07 TREND MICRO INC

AI summary

To protect a user computer from eavesdroppers, a secure communication connection is created through a computer network. The secure communication connection may be created even when the user computer communicates with a web server computer that does not support secure communication connections. The secure communication connection may be to a protection server computer. Another communication connection may be formed between the protection server computer and the web server computer to allow the user computer to transfer data to the web server computer by way of the protection server computer. The creation of the secure communication connection may be by user request or automatic upon detection of protected address or data.