Removable Storage Anti-Virus Auto-Execution Partitioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Removable USB storage devices are vulnerable to malware infection from a host computer, even if they have anti-virus software, due to the susceptibility before the software is executed.

Innovation Solution

Partitioning the removable storage device into a CD-ROM partition and a user partition, with an anti-virus module stored in the CD-ROM partition that automatically executes upon connection to a computer, providing protection against malware by enabling auto-run and write protection mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anti-virus software is installed on the removable USB storage device, then the device has protection capability, but the device remains vulnerable to malware infection before the software is executed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-virus protection capabilityVSAvoidmalware infection vulnerability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring the removable storage device to automatically execute the anti-virus module upon connection to the host computer. This ensures that protection is activated before any malware can infect the device, resolving the vulnerability window that exists between connection and software execution. The auto-execution mechanism is pre-configured in the device's startup information, ensuring immediate protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Extent of automation

If the removable storage device is partitioned into CD-ROM partition and user partition, then automatic execution of anti-virus module is enabled, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauto-execution of anti-virus moduleVSAvoidpartition structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the removable storage device into two distinct partitions: a CD-ROM partition containing the anti-virus module and startup information, and a user partition for data storage. This segmentation enables automatic execution of the anti-virus module while maintaining clear functional separation. The partitioning strategy is a standard storage organization method that balances automation requirements with structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If write protection is enabled on the removable storage device, then malware cannot modify or infect files, but legitimate software updates and installations are prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemalware infection preventionVSAvoidsoftware update capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling write protection specifically for the CD-ROM partition containing the anti-virus module, while leaving the user partition writable for legitimate data storage and software installation. This localized write protection strategy prevents malware from modifying critical anti-virus files while still allowing the system to update and install legitimate software through the executable module, thus balancing security with adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8826435B1Apparatus and methods for protecting removable storage devices from malware infection

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 TREND MICRO INC

AI summary

One embodiment relates to a computer-implemented method for protecting a removable storage device from malware on a computer apparatus. An indication is received that the removable storage device has been connected to the computer apparatus, wherein the removable storage device is partitioned into a CD-ROM partition and a user partition. An anti-virus module stored in the CD-ROM partition on the removable storage device is automatically executed upon connecting the removable storage device to a computer apparatus. Other embodiments, aspects and features may also be disclosed.