System and method for preventing unwanted bundled software installation
US11847222B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2019 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L63/1491
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments described herein are capable of preventing the installation of unwanted software bundled with a desired application at runtime, while allowing the installation of the desired application to continue as expected. For example, the embodiments described herein create a decoy in memory that preempts unwanted code. The decoy attracts any illegitimate code and diverts it into a dead end (e.g., the code is isolated, thereby preventing it from properly executing), while installation of the legitimate code (i.e., the desired application) flows as expected. The foregoing detects that a reflective loading process of DLL associated with the unwanted application has occurred, identifies the entity that attempted to perform the reflective loading process, and prevents the entity from completing the reflective loading process without terminating the main installer. That is, the main installer will continue as usual (and install the desired application) while the installation of the unwanted application is blocked.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.