Computer security using virus probing
US6205551A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L63/145
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A technique for determining whether particular clients within a computer network are universally configured in accordance with the desired network security features of the computer network. A probe is randomly inserted within incoming files, e.g., at a firewall in the computer network. The probe is configured as a function of a particular execution task, e.g. a known virus, such that in a properly configured client the probe will not execute and the firewall does not detect a security breach. However, if the client is misconfigured, i.e., not in compliance with the standard network security features, the probe will execute and trigger an alarm in the firewall indicating that the client is vulnerable to a security breach. Advantageously, a network security administrator can take appropriate action to correct those clients which are misconfigured.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.