Web Malware Detection via Segmented Content Quarantine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Websites are vulnerable to malware infections due to compromised third-party content, which existing security measures struggle to detect and mitigate effectively, especially when such content is essential for functionality and cannot be removed.

Innovation Solution

A malware detection and remediation system that performs static and dynamic analysis of web page content, identifies suspicious elements, and generates reports to alert administrators, with the option for quarantine instructions to prevent propagation of malicious content, utilizing a risk assessment module to prioritize scanning based on vulnerability and infection history.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If third-party content is removed from websites, then security risk from malware is reduced, but website functionality and content quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidfunctionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments web page content into different sources (original content vs. third-party content) and applies different security processing to each segment. The system identifies, extracts, and separately processes third-party content through risk assessment and quarantine mechanisms, allowing the website to maintain overall functionality while isolating security risks to specific content segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary security system between the website and third-party content sources. This intermediary performs risk assessment, authentication, and quarantine functions, acting as a mediator that allows third-party content to be included while filtering out malicious content. The intermediary enables the website to maintain functionality with external content providers while protecting against malware through layered security processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive malware scanning is performed on all web page content, then detection accuracy improves, but processing time and system resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different levels of scanning intensity to different types of content based on their risk profiles. Third-party content undergoes comprehensive risk assessment including authentication checks and malware scanning, while original content receives standard processing. The system dynamically adjusts processing depth based on content source, URL reputation, and content type, optimizing detection accuracy for high-risk content while reducing processing overhead for low-risk content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs partial malware scanning by focusing resources on third-party content and high-risk elements rather than uniformly scanning all content. The risk assessment module selectively applies comprehensive analysis to content from untrusted sources while using heuristic filtering and reputation-based blocking for lower-priority content, achieving effective malware detection with reduced overall processing time and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If risk assessment and quarantine mechanisms are implemented, then malware propagation is prevented, but device and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalware preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a multi-functional security system where the risk assessment module performs multiple functions: authentication of third-party content, malware detection, risk scoring, and quarantine decision-making. The quarantine mechanism serves dual purposes by both blocking malicious content and providing a containment environment for further analysis. This consolidation of multiple security functions into integrated modules reduces overall system complexity compared to separate independent security systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8683584B1Risk assessment
Publication Date: 2014.03.25 DASIENT
  • US8683584B1 patent drawing
  • US8683584B1 patent drawing
  • US8683584B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Performing a risk assessment of a website is disclosed. A plurality of elements included in the website is categorized. The risk posed by the presence of at least some of the plurality of elements is assessed. Example elements include third party content and out-of-date web applications. A risk assessment report is provided as output.