Patent · US Active

File backup to combat ransomware

US9317686B1 · kind B1 · utility

125Cited by
7References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 16, 2013
Grant dateApr 19, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 16, 2033

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F2201/865
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Operating system events are monitored and a file change request of a process is detected. If the process is suspicious, then the file to be changed is backed up and then the process is allowed to change the file as requested. If it is later determined that the process is ransomware, the process is blocked and further file backups are halted. The original file is recovered and the encrypted file is discarded. If it is later determined that the process is not malicious, then further file backups are halted. Any backup files are discarded. Ransomware may be detected by comparing a file extension of the process with file extensions of any files requested to be changed, by comparing file extensions of any files requested to be changed, or by an analysis of behavior of the process itself.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.