Scanning of password-protected e-mail attachment
US9813412B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 27, 2015 |
| Grant date | Nov 7, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 27, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L63/145
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer analyzes a message attachment protected by a password. The message is intercepted from a sender before the message reaches the recipient. The computer cannot open, decrypt, unpack or decompress the attachment because the computer cannot parse the password. The message is modified to render the attachment unusable by the recipient and a URL is added. After the modified message is sent to the recipient, the computer receives the correct password from the recipient allowing the computer to open the attachment and perform anti-malware scanning. If malicious, the attachment is quarantined, deleted or blocked. If not malicious, the attachment (password-protected or not) is downloaded to the recipient, sent by e-mail or text message, or made available on a Web site. The recipient may be a mobile device or computer. Software may be part of an e-mail server, part of a mail transfer agent, or part of a separate computer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.