WO2003030001A1 - Anti-virus policy enforcement system and method - Google Patents

Anti-virus policy enforcement system and method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003030001A1
WO2003030001A1 PCT/US2002/029302 US0229302W WO03030001A1 WO 2003030001 A1 WO2003030001 A1 WO 2003030001A1 US 0229302 W US0229302 W US 0229302W WO 03030001 A1 WO03030001 A1 WO 03030001A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
status
network
command
recited
client computer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/029302
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Victor Kouznetsov
Ricky Huang
Original Assignee
Networks Associates Technology, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Networks Associates Technology, Inc. filed Critical Networks Associates Technology, Inc.
Publication of WO2003030001A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003030001A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/02Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
    • H04L63/0227Filtering policies
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/04Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
    • H04L63/0428Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L63/00Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
    • H04L63/14Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for detecting or protecting against malicious traffic
    • H04L63/1441Countermeasures against malicious traffic
    • H04L63/145Countermeasures against malicious traffic the attack involving the propagation of malware through the network, e.g. viruses, trojans or worms

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to anti-virus scanners, and more particularly to ensuring that anti-virus scanners operate properly to prevent malicious code attacks.
  • Network security management is becoming a more difficult problem as networks grow in size and become a more integral part of organizational operations. Attacks on networks are growing both due to the intellectual challenge such attacks represent for hackers and due to the increasing payoff for the serious attacker. Furthermore, the attacks are growing beyond the current capability of security management tools to identify and quickly respond to those attacks. As various attack methods are tried and ultimately repulsed, the attackers will attempt new approaches with more subtle attack features. Thus, maintaining network security is on-going, ever changing, and an increasingly complex problem.
  • Computer network attacks can take many forms and any one attack may include many security events of different types.
  • Security events are anomalous network conditions each of which may cause an anti-security effect to a computer network.
  • Security events include stealing confidential or private information; producing network damage through mechanisms such as viruses, worms, or Trojan horses; overwhelming the network's capability in order to cause denial of service, and so forth.
  • Security systems often employ security risk-assessment tools, i.e. "scanners,” to search for known types of security events in the form of malicious programs such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Still yet, scanners are used for content filtering to enforce an organization's operational policies [i.e. detecting harassing or pornographic content, junk e-mails, misinformation (virus hoaxes), etc.].
  • scanners are often susceptible to tampering, deactivation, removal, etc., especially when the scanners are installed on a client computer readily accessible by a user. Often, such user may intentionally disable a scanner to increase the speed of his or her computer, or may unintentionally remove the software during the normal course of use of the computer. In still other scenarios, some users do not take the time to update the scanners with the latest virus signatures that are currently available.
  • a system, method and computer program product are provided for enforcing an anti-virus policy. Initially, a status command is received at a client computer from a network device utilizing a network. In response to the status command, a status is sent to the network device utilizing the network. Such status relates to anti- virus scanning software on the client computer. Next, a response is initiated at the client computer utilizing the network based on the status.
  • the status command may be received in response to an attempt to access the network by the client computer. Further, the status command may be received on a predetermined port and/or utilizing user datagram protocol (UDP).
  • UDP user datagram protocol
  • the network device may include a firewall.
  • it may be determined whether the status command is received from the firewall.
  • the status may be conditionally sent based on the determination as to whether the status command is received from the firewall.
  • the status command may be encrypted. Such command may be decrypted upon receipt. Moreover, the status may be encrypted prior to sending it over the network.
  • the status may relate to a version of the anti-virus scanning software. Further, the status may relate to any tampering of the anti-virus scanning software. Still yet, the status may relate to any removal of the anti-virus scanning software. Even still, the status may relate to any deactivation of the anti- virus scanning software.
  • the response may include conditionally preventing access to the network by the client computer based on the status. Further, such access to the network may be prevented until an action is carried out.
  • the response may conditionally include a notice to the user of the client computer based on the status.
  • Such notice may indicate that the user is required to reinstall the anti-virus scanning software. Further, the notice may indicate that the user is required to reactivate the anti-virus scanning software.
  • the response may include requiring an action at the client computer.
  • the response may conditionally require a reinstallation of the anti-virus scanning software based on the status.
  • the response may conditionally require a reactivation of the anti-virus scanning software based on the status.
  • the response may also conditionally include an update command received from the network device based on the status.
  • update command may optionally be encrypted.
  • the update command may be received if the status indicates that the anti-virus scanning software on the client computer requires an update.
  • the anti-virus scanning software may be updated in response to the update command. More particularly, the anti- virus scanning software may be updated utilizing the network.
  • the updating of the anti-virus scanning software may include sending an update request to a server utilizing the network, and receiving an update from the server.
  • Such update may include a plurality of virus signatures in the form of a plurality of .DAT files or the like.
  • various measures may be taken to prevent denial of service (DoS) attacks.
  • DoS denial of service
  • an amount of time that elapsed between the receipt of the status command and a previous receipt of the status command may be determined.
  • the status may be conditionally sent in response to the status command based on the amount of time that has elapsed. In particular, such status may be sent in response to the status command only if the amount of time that has elapsed is greater than a predetermined amount.
  • the status may be automatically sent to the network device in response to the status command.
  • the anti-virus scanning software may be automatically updated in response to the update command.
  • the various operations of the present embodiment maybe carried out for a plurality of client computers communicating with the network device.
  • client computers may communicate with the network device via a local area network (LAN).
  • LAN local area network
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a network architecture, in accordance with one embodiment.
  • FIG 2 shows a representative hardware environment that may be associated with the data servers and/or client computers of Figure 1, in accordance with one embodiment.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram illustrating the various communications between the firewall agent and the client agent of Figure 1 for enforcing an anti- virus policy, in accordance with one embodiment.
  • FIG. 4 is a more detailed flow diagram showing the various operations carried out by the firewall agent of Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a method carried out by the client agent in order to enforce an anti-virus policy.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a network architecture 100, in accordance with one embodiment.
  • a plurality of networks 102 are provided including a first network 104 and a second network 106.
  • at least one firewall 107 coupled between the networks 102 and a third network 108.
  • the networks 104, 106, 108 may each take any form including, but not limited to a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, etc. Further, any number of networks may be included.
  • LAN local area network
  • WAN wide area network
  • any number of networks may be included.
  • At least one server 114 coupled to the third network 108, and which is accessible from the networks 102 via the firewall 107.
  • the server(s) 114 may include any type of computing device/groupware. Coupled to each server 114 is a plurality of client computers 116. Such client computers 116 may include a desktop computer, lap-top computer, hand-held computer, printer or any other type of logic. It should be noted that a client computer 117 may also be directly coupled to any of the networks, in one embodiment.
  • the firewall 107 serves as an entrance point from the networks 102 to the third network 108. Further, the firewall 107 may serve as an entrance from one of the networks 102 and one of the client computers 116, 117 and/or server(s) 114. Of course, the firewall 107 may be configured to serve as an entrance point to any client computer, network, and/or sub-network.
  • a firewall agent 118 coupled to and situated behind the firewall 107, and a client agent 120 coupled to one of the client computers 117.
  • the client agent 120 may be associated with a server 114 which is in turn coupled to client computers for administrative purposes. In such a scenario, such server 114 may be referred to as a "client computer.”
  • the agent 118 may be coupled to any other type of intermediary network device coupled to the client computers 117.
  • the client computers 117 may also be equipped with a scanner 121 including anti-virus scanning software.
  • Such scanner 121 may be equipped to probe for network weaknesses by simulating certain types of security events that make up an attack. Such scanner 121 may also test user passwords for suitability and security.
  • the scanner 121 may also search for known types of security events in the form of malicious programs such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses.
  • the scanner 121 may be adapted for content filtering to enforce an organization's operational policies [i.e. detecting harassing or pornographic content, junk e-mails, misinformation (virus hoaxes), etc.].
  • the scanner 121 may take any other sort of security measures such as e-mail attachment filtering, etc.
  • a database 122 that is coupled to an associated server (i.e. server 114).
  • server 114 Such database 122 is equipped with virus signature updates that may be selectively distributed to the client computers 117 for updating the scanner 121.
  • the software agents serve to enforce an anti- virus policy on the client computers 117 or any other related device. This is accomplished by monitoring a status of the scanner 121 at the client computers 117, and initiating a response if the scanner 121 at the client computer 117 is insufficient for one reason or another. The manner in which this is accomplished will be set forth hereinafter in greater detail during reference to Figures 3-5.
  • FIG 2 shows a representative hardware environment that may be associated with the data servers 114 and/or client computers 116, 117 of Figure 1, in accordance with one embodiment.
  • Such figure illustrates a typical hardware configuration in accordance with a preferred embodiment having a central processing unit 210, such as a microprocessor, and a number of other units interconnected via a system bus 212.
  • a central processing unit 210 such as a microprocessor
  • the present hardware shown in Figure 2 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) 214, Read Only Memory (ROM) 216, an I/O adapter 218 for connecting peripheral devices such as disk storage units 220 to the bus 212, a user interface adapter 222 for connecting a keyboard 224, a mouse 226, a speaker 228, a microphone 232, and/or other user interface devices such as a touch screen (not shown) to the bus 212, communication adapter 234 for connecting the present hardware to a communication network 235 (e.g., a data processing network) and a display adapter 236 for connecting the bus 212 to a display device 238.
  • a communication network 235 e.g., a data processing network
  • display adapter 236 for connecting the bus 212 to a display device 238.
  • the present hardware may have resident thereon an operating system such as the Microsoft Windows NT or Windows/95 Operating System (OS), the IBM OS/2 operating system, the MAC OS, or UNIX operating system. It will be appreciated that a preferred embodiment may also be implemented on platforms and operating systems other than those mentioned.
  • a preferred embodiment may be written using JAVA, C, and or C++ language, or other programming languages, along with an object oriented programming methodology.
  • Object oriented programming (OOP) has become increasingly used to develop complex applications.
  • Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram 300 illustrating the various communications between the firewall agent 118 and the client agent 120 for enforcing an anti -virus policy at the client computer 117, in accordance with one embodiment.
  • a status command is received by the client agent 120 of the client computer 117 from a network device such as the firewall 107 utilizing a network.
  • such status command may be encrypted.
  • the status command may be decrypted at the client computer 117.
  • a status is generated and sent to the network device utilizing the network. See operation 3-4.
  • such status may be encrypted.
  • the status relates to the anti-virus scanner 121 on the client computer 117, or any other factor relating to the security of the client computer 117.
  • the status may relate to a version of the anti-virus scanning software. Further, the status may relate to any tampering of the anti -virus scanning software. Still yet, the status may relate to any removal of the anti-virus scanning software. Even still, the status may relate to any deactivation of the anti- virus scanning software.
  • operation 5 it is determined whether the status is sufficient for protecting the client computer 117 from an attack. Based on this determination, a response is initiated at the client computer 117 utilizing the network if it is necessary. See operation 6.
  • the response may include conditionally preventing access to a network such as the Internet by the client computer 117. Such access to the network may be prevented until an appropriate security action is carried out.
  • the response may conditionally include a notice to the user of the client computer based on the status.
  • Such notice may indicate that the user is required to reinstall the anti-virus scanning software. Further, the notice may indicate that the user is required to reactivate the anti-virus scanning software.
  • the response may require an action at the client computer 117.
  • the response may conditionally require a reinstallation of the anti -virus scanning software based on the status.
  • the update may conditionally require a reactivation of the anti- virus scanning software based on the status.
  • the response may also conditionally include an update command received from the network device based on the status. Such update command may optionally be encrypted. In use, the update command may be received if the status indicates that the anti-virus scanning software on the client computer requires an update. More information on such embodiment will now be set forth during reference to Figures 4-5.
  • FIG 4 is a more detailed flow diagram showing the various operations carried out by the firewall agent 118 of Figure 3. As shown, it is first determined whether the client computer 117 is attempting to access a network such as the Internet. Note decision 401. Of course, any other triggering situation may be monitored which may make the client computer 117 subject to an attack.
  • the firewall agent 118 sends a status command to the client agent 120 at the client computer 117 requesting a status of the scanner 121 thereof.
  • a status may be received from the client computer 117 in operation 404.
  • the status of the scanner 121 may include a version number.
  • the update may be deemed necessary if the version number is below a predetermined acceptable number.
  • an update command may be sent for initiating an update process on the client computer 117.
  • the present method 400 is stalled until it is determined at decision 410 that sufficient time has elapsed for reinitiating the process. More information will now be set forth regarding the manner in which the agent 120 on the client computer 117 operates.
  • Figure 5 illustrates a method 500 carried out by the client computer 117 in order to enforce an anti-virus policy. While the method 500 may be carried out by the agent 120 on the client computer 117, it should be noted that similar functionality may be applied in any desired environment.
  • a predetermined port is monitored in operation 502. Such port 502 may be preselected for receiving commands from the firewall agent 118 at the firewall 107.
  • UDP user datagram protocol
  • Such interpretation may include a parsing of the command to determine a source thereof, as well as any other desired parameters.
  • the command is decrypted and extracted for identification purposes in operation 510.
  • the commands are encrypted prior to being sent from the firewall agent 118. It should be noted that an encryption key may be based on a shared secret concatenated with the IP address of the client computer 117.
  • the type of command may then be discerned in decision 512.
  • the difference between the status command and the update command may simply be one (1) bit of information.
  • the command is a status command as set forth in operation 402 of Figure 4, the status of the scanner 121 may be sent in operation 510.
  • Such status may include a version number, a license number, operating system information, and/or a timestamp of the last update.
  • the status may be automatically sent to the network device in response to the status command.
  • the command is an update command
  • access to the network that was originally requested may be blocked for security reasons.
  • Note operation 516 Again, this may be accomplished automatically in order to provide a more automated environment.
  • a separate update command may be sent to the scanner 121 for initiating a scanner update process involving the database 122.
  • the anti-virus scanning software is automatically updated in response to the update command.
  • the updating of the anti-virus scanning software may include sending an update request to the server 114 utilizing the network, and receiving an update from the server 114.
  • Such update may include a plurality of virus signatures in the form of a plurality of .DAT files or the like.
  • an amount of time that elapsed between the receipt of the command and a previous receipt of the command may be determined in decision 520. Further, the method 500 may only be repeated if the amount of elapsed time is greater than a predetermined amount (i.e. 10 seconds).
  • the various operations of the present embodiment may be carried out for a plurality of client computers communicating with the network device.
  • client computers may communicate with the network device via a local area network (LAN).
  • LAN local area network

Abstract

A system, method and computer program product (120) are provided for enforcing an anti-virus policy. Initially, a status command (402) is received at a client computer (116, 117) from a network device utilizing a network (104, 106, 108). In response to the status (404) is sent to the network device utilizing the network. Such status relates to anti-virus scanning software (121) on the client computer. Next, a response is initiated at the client computer utilizing the network based on the status.

Description

ANTI- VIRUS POLICY ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM AND
METHOD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to anti-virus scanners, and more particularly to ensuring that anti-virus scanners operate properly to prevent malicious code attacks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Network security management is becoming a more difficult problem as networks grow in size and become a more integral part of organizational operations. Attacks on networks are growing both due to the intellectual challenge such attacks represent for hackers and due to the increasing payoff for the serious attacker. Furthermore, the attacks are growing beyond the current capability of security management tools to identify and quickly respond to those attacks. As various attack methods are tried and ultimately repulsed, the attackers will attempt new approaches with more subtle attack features. Thus, maintaining network security is on-going, ever changing, and an increasingly complex problem.
Computer network attacks can take many forms and any one attack may include many security events of different types. Security events are anomalous network conditions each of which may cause an anti-security effect to a computer network. Security events include stealing confidential or private information; producing network damage through mechanisms such as viruses, worms, or Trojan horses; overwhelming the network's capability in order to cause denial of service, and so forth.
Security systems often employ security risk-assessment tools, i.e. "scanners," to search for known types of security events in the form of malicious programs such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Still yet, scanners are used for content filtering to enforce an organization's operational policies [i.e. detecting harassing or pornographic content, junk e-mails, misinformation (virus hoaxes), etc.].
Unfortunately, such scanners are often susceptible to tampering, deactivation, removal, etc., especially when the scanners are installed on a client computer readily accessible by a user. Often, such user may intentionally disable a scanner to increase the speed of his or her computer, or may unintentionally remove the software during the normal course of use of the computer. In still other scenarios, some users do not take the time to update the scanners with the latest virus signatures that are currently available.
These situations often result in a client computer that is highly susceptible to a virus attack or the like, especially when access is gained to an unsecured network such as the Internet. There is thus a need for a more effective method of enforcing anti-virus policies.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A system, method and computer program product are provided for enforcing an anti-virus policy. Initially, a status command is received at a client computer from a network device utilizing a network. In response to the status command, a status is sent to the network device utilizing the network. Such status relates to anti- virus scanning software on the client computer. Next, a response is initiated at the client computer utilizing the network based on the status.
In one embodiment, the status command may be received in response to an attempt to access the network by the client computer. Further, the status command may be received on a predetermined port and/or utilizing user datagram protocol (UDP).
In another embodiment, the network device may include a firewall. In such embodiment, it may be determined whether the status command is received from the firewall. As such, the status may be conditionally sent based on the determination as to whether the status command is received from the firewall.
In still another embodiment, the status command may be encrypted. Such command may be decrypted upon receipt. Moreover, the status may be encrypted prior to sending it over the network.
In one embodiment, the status may relate to a version of the anti-virus scanning software. Further, the status may relate to any tampering of the anti-virus scanning software. Still yet, the status may relate to any removal of the anti-virus scanning software. Even still, the status may relate to any deactivation of the anti- virus scanning software. Various exemplary responses to such statuses will now be set forth. For example, the response may include conditionally preventing access to the network by the client computer based on the status. Further, such access to the network may be prevented until an action is carried out.
As an option, the response may conditionally include a notice to the user of the client computer based on the status. Such notice may indicate that the user is required to reinstall the anti-virus scanning software. Further, the notice may indicate that the user is required to reactivate the anti-virus scanning software.
Moreover, the response may include requiring an action at the client computer.
For example, the response may conditionally require a reinstallation of the anti-virus scanning software based on the status. Similarly, the response may conditionally require a reactivation of the anti-virus scanning software based on the status.
The response may also conditionally include an update command received from the network device based on the status. Such update command may optionally be encrypted. In use, the update command may be received if the status indicates that the anti-virus scanning software on the client computer requires an update.
In one aspect of the present embodiment, the anti-virus scanning software may be updated in response to the update command. More particularly, the anti- virus scanning software may be updated utilizing the network. Optionally, the updating of the anti-virus scanning software may include sending an update request to a server utilizing the network, and receiving an update from the server. Such update may include a plurality of virus signatures in the form of a plurality of .DAT files or the like.
In yet another embodiment, various measures may be taken to prevent denial of service (DoS) attacks. In particular, an amount of time that elapsed between the receipt of the status command and a previous receipt of the status command may be determined. Further, the status may be conditionally sent in response to the status command based on the amount of time that has elapsed. In particular, such status may be sent in response to the status command only if the amount of time that has elapsed is greater than a predetermined amount.
In order to provide a more automated environment, the status may be automatically sent to the network device in response to the status command. Further, the anti-virus scanning software may be automatically updated in response to the update command.
As an option, the various operations of the present embodiment maybe carried out for a plurality of client computers communicating with the network device. Such client computers may communicate with the network device via a local area network (LAN).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a network architecture, in accordance with one embodiment.
Figure 2 shows a representative hardware environment that may be associated with the data servers and/or client computers of Figure 1, in accordance with one embodiment.
Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram illustrating the various communications between the firewall agent and the client agent of Figure 1 for enforcing an anti- virus policy, in accordance with one embodiment.
Figure 4 is a more detailed flow diagram showing the various operations carried out by the firewall agent of Figure 3.
Figure 5 illustrates a method carried out by the client agent in order to enforce an anti-virus policy.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 illustrates a network architecture 100, in accordance with one embodiment. As shown, a plurality of networks 102 are provided including a first network 104 and a second network 106. Also included is at least one firewall 107 coupled between the networks 102 and a third network 108. In the context of the present network architecture 100, the networks 104, 106, 108 may each take any form including, but not limited to a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, etc. Further, any number of networks may be included.
Further included is at least one server 114 coupled to the third network 108, and which is accessible from the networks 102 via the firewall 107. It should be noted that the server(s) 114 may include any type of computing device/groupware. Coupled to each server 114 is a plurality of client computers 116. Such client computers 116 may include a desktop computer, lap-top computer, hand-held computer, printer or any other type of logic. It should be noted that a client computer 117 may also be directly coupled to any of the networks, in one embodiment.
In use, the firewall 107 serves as an entrance point from the networks 102 to the third network 108. Further, the firewall 107 may serve as an entrance from one of the networks 102 and one of the client computers 116, 117 and/or server(s) 114. Of course, the firewall 107 may be configured to serve as an entrance point to any client computer, network, and/or sub-network.
Further provided are software agents including a firewall agent 118 coupled to and situated behind the firewall 107, and a client agent 120 coupled to one of the client computers 117. In various other embodiments, the client agent 120 may be associated with a server 114 which is in turn coupled to client computers for administrative purposes. In such a scenario, such server 114 may be referred to as a "client computer." Further, the agent 118 may be coupled to any other type of intermediary network device coupled to the client computers 117.
The client computers 117 may also be equipped with a scanner 121 including anti-virus scanning software. Such scanner 121 may be equipped to probe for network weaknesses by simulating certain types of security events that make up an attack. Such scanner 121 may also test user passwords for suitability and security. Moreover, the scanner 121 may also search for known types of security events in the form of malicious programs such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Still yet, [0]the scanner 121 may be adapted for content filtering to enforce an organization's operational policies [i.e. detecting harassing or pornographic content, junk e-mails, misinformation (virus hoaxes), etc.]. Of course, the scanner 121 may take any other sort of security measures such as e-mail attachment filtering, etc.
Also provided is a database 122 that is coupled to an associated server (i.e. server 114). Such database 122 is equipped with virus signature updates that may be selectively distributed to the client computers 117 for updating the scanner 121.
As will soon become apparent, the software agents serve to enforce an anti- virus policy on the client computers 117 or any other related device. This is accomplished by monitoring a status of the scanner 121 at the client computers 117, and initiating a response if the scanner 121 at the client computer 117 is insufficient for one reason or another. The manner in which this is accomplished will be set forth hereinafter in greater detail during reference to Figures 3-5.
Figure 2 shows a representative hardware environment that may be associated with the data servers 114 and/or client computers 116, 117 of Figure 1, in accordance with one embodiment. Such figure illustrates a typical hardware configuration in accordance with a preferred embodiment having a central processing unit 210, such as a microprocessor, and a number of other units interconnected via a system bus 212. The present hardware shown in Figure 2 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) 214, Read Only Memory (ROM) 216, an I/O adapter 218 for connecting peripheral devices such as disk storage units 220 to the bus 212, a user interface adapter 222 for connecting a keyboard 224, a mouse 226, a speaker 228, a microphone 232, and/or other user interface devices such as a touch screen (not shown) to the bus 212, communication adapter 234 for connecting the present hardware to a communication network 235 (e.g., a data processing network) and a display adapter 236 for connecting the bus 212 to a display device 238. It should be noted that the present hardware is set forth for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed as limiting in any manner.
The present hardware may have resident thereon an operating system such as the Microsoft Windows NT or Windows/95 Operating System (OS), the IBM OS/2 operating system, the MAC OS, or UNIX operating system. It will be appreciated that a preferred embodiment may also be implemented on platforms and operating systems other than those mentioned. A preferred embodiment may be written using JAVA, C, and or C++ language, or other programming languages, along with an object oriented programming methodology. Object oriented programming (OOP) has become increasingly used to develop complex applications.
Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram 300 illustrating the various communications between the firewall agent 118 and the client agent 120 for enforcing an anti -virus policy at the client computer 117, in accordance with one embodiment. Initially, in operation 1, a status command is received by the client agent 120 of the client computer 117 from a network device such as the firewall 107 utilizing a network.
As an option, such status command may be encrypted. In such case, the status command may be decrypted at the client computer 117. Note operation 2. In response to the status command, a status is generated and sent to the network device utilizing the network. See operation 3-4. Optionally, such status may be encrypted. The status relates to the anti-virus scanner 121 on the client computer 117, or any other factor relating to the security of the client computer 117.
In one embodiment, the status may relate to a version of the anti-virus scanning software. Further, the status may relate to any tampering of the anti -virus scanning software. Still yet, the status may relate to any removal of the anti-virus scanning software. Even still, the status may relate to any deactivation of the anti- virus scanning software.
Next, in operation 5, it is determined whether the status is sufficient for protecting the client computer 117 from an attack. Based on this determination, a response is initiated at the client computer 117 utilizing the network if it is necessary. See operation 6.
In one embodiment, the response may include conditionally preventing access to a network such as the Internet by the client computer 117. Such access to the network may be prevented until an appropriate security action is carried out.
As an option, the response may conditionally include a notice to the user of the client computer based on the status. Such notice may indicate that the user is required to reinstall the anti-virus scanning software. Further, the notice may indicate that the user is required to reactivate the anti-virus scanning software.
Moreover, the response may require an action at the client computer 117. For example, the response may conditionally require a reinstallation of the anti -virus scanning software based on the status. Similarly, the update may conditionally require a reactivation of the anti- virus scanning software based on the status. The response may also conditionally include an update command received from the network device based on the status. Such update command may optionally be encrypted. In use, the update command may be received if the status indicates that the anti-virus scanning software on the client computer requires an update. More information on such embodiment will now be set forth during reference to Figures 4-5.
Figure 4 is a more detailed flow diagram showing the various operations carried out by the firewall agent 118 of Figure 3. As shown, it is first determined whether the client computer 117 is attempting to access a network such as the Internet. Note decision 401. Of course, any other triggering situation may be monitored which may make the client computer 117 subject to an attack.
Once triggered, in operation 402, the firewall agent 118 sends a status command to the client agent 120 at the client computer 117 requesting a status of the scanner 121 thereof. In response thereto, a status may be received from the client computer 117 in operation 404.
It may then be determined in decision 406 as to whether an update to the scanner 121 is necessary. In one embodiment, the status of the scanner 121 may include a version number. Moreover, the update may be deemed necessary if the version number is below a predetermined acceptable number.
If it is necessary, in operation 408, an update command may be sent for initiating an update process on the client computer 117. In any case, the present method 400 is stalled until it is determined at decision 410 that sufficient time has elapsed for reinitiating the process. More information will now be set forth regarding the manner in which the agent 120 on the client computer 117 operates.
Figure 5 illustrates a method 500 carried out by the client computer 117 in order to enforce an anti-virus policy. While the method 500 may be carried out by the agent 120 on the client computer 117, it should be noted that similar functionality may be applied in any desired environment. Initially, a predetermined port is monitored in operation 502. Such port 502 may be preselected for receiving commands from the firewall agent 118 at the firewall 107.
As communications are received on the predetermined port, it is determined in decision 504 as to whether any of such communications is received utilizing user datagram protocol (UDP). If so, such command is interpreted in operation 506. Such interpretation may include a parsing of the command to determine a source thereof, as well as any other desired parameters.
Once interpreted, it is determined whether the command was received from the firewall 107. See decision 508. If so, the command is decrypted and extracted for identification purposes in operation 510. As mentioned earlier, the commands are encrypted prior to being sent from the firewall agent 118. It should be noted that an encryption key may be based on a shared secret concatenated with the IP address of the client computer 117.
The type of command may then be discerned in decision 512. As an option, the difference between the status command and the update command may simply be one (1) bit of information. If the command is a status command as set forth in operation 402 of Figure 4, the status of the scanner 121 may be sent in operation 510. Such status may include a version number, a license number, operating system information, and/or a timestamp of the last update. In order to provide a more automated environment, the status may be automatically sent to the network device in response to the status command.
If, however, the command is an update command, access to the network that was originally requested may be blocked for security reasons. Note operation 516. Again, this may be accomplished automatically in order to provide a more automated environment. Thereafter, a separate update command may be sent to the scanner 121 for initiating a scanner update process involving the database 122. Note operation 518. In response thereto, the anti-virus scanning software is automatically updated in response to the update command. Specifically, the updating of the anti-virus scanning software may include sending an update request to the server 114 utilizing the network, and receiving an update from the server 114. Such update may include a plurality of virus signatures in the form of a plurality of .DAT files or the like. For more information regarding such update process, reference may be made to US Patent No.: 6,035,423 and US Patent No.: 6,269,456, which are each incorporated herein by reference.
As an option, various measures may be taken to prevent denial of service (DoS) attacks. In particular, an amount of time that elapsed between the receipt of the command and a previous receipt of the command may be determined in decision 520. Further, the method 500 may only be repeated if the amount of elapsed time is greater than a predetermined amount (i.e. 10 seconds).
As an option, the various operations of the present embodiment may be carried out for a plurality of client computers communicating with the network device. Such client computers may communicate with the network device via a local area network (LAN).
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. For example, any of the network components may employ any of the desired functionality set forth hereinabove. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:
1. A method for enforcing an anti-virus policy, comprising: (a) receiving a status command at a client computer from a network device utilizing a network; (b) sending a status to the network device utilizing the network in response to the status command, the status relating to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer; and (c) initiating a response at the client computer utilizing the network based on the status.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the status command is received in response to an attempt to access the network by the client computer.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the status command is received on a predetermined port.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the status command is received utilizing user datagram protocol (UDP).
5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the network device includes a firewall.
6. The method as recited in claim 5, and further comprising determining whether the status command is received from the firewall.
7. The method as recited in claim 6, wherein the status is conditionally sent based on the determination as to whether the status command is received from the firewall.
8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the status command is encrypted, and further comprising decrypting the status command.
9. The method as recited in claim 8, and further comprising encrypting the status prior to sending the status utilizing the network.
10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the response includes conditionally preventing access to the network by the client computer based on the status.
11. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the response includes requiring an action at the client computer.
12. The method as recited in claim 12, and further comprising preventing access to the network until the action is carried out.
13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the response conditionally includes a notice to the user of the client computer based on the status.
14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the notice indicates that the user is required to reinstall the anti-virus scanning software.
15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the notice indicates that the user is required to reactivate the anti-virus scanning software.
16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the response conditionally requires a reinstallation of the anti-virus scanning software based on the status.
17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the response conditionally requires a reactivation of the anti-virus scanning software based on the status.
18. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the response conditionally includes an update command received from the network device based on the status.
19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the update command is encrypted.
20. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the update command is received if the status indicates that the anti -virus scanning software on the client computer requires an update.
21. The method as recited in claim 18, and further comprising updating the anti- virus scanning software in response to the update command.
22. The method as recited in claim 21 , wherein the anti -virus scanning software is updated utilizing the network.
23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein the updating of the anti -virus scanning software includes sending an update request to a server utilizing the network.
24. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the updating of the anti-virus scanning software further includes receiving an update from the server.
25. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the update includes a plurality of virus signatures.
26. The method as recited in claim 24, wherein the update includes a plurality of .DAT files.
27. The method as recited in claim 1 , and further comprising determining an amount of time that elapsed between the receipt of the status command and a previous receipt of the status command.
28. The method as recited in claim 27, and further comprising conditionally sending the status in response to the status command based on the amount of time that has elapsed.
29. The method as recited in claim 28, and further comprising sending the status in response to the status command if the amount of time that has elapsed is greater than a predetermined amount to prevent a denial of service attack (DOS).
30. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the status is automatically sent to the network device in response to the status command.
31. The method as recited in claim 20, wherein the anti-virus scanning software is automatically updated in response to the update command.
32. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the status relates to a version of the anti-virus scanning software.
33. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the status relates to any tampering of the anti-virus scanning software.
34. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the status relates to any removal of the anti-virus scanning software.
35. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the status relates to any deactivation of the anti- virus scanning software.
36. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein (a) - (c) are carried out for a plurality of client computers communicating with the network device.
37. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein the client computers communicate with the network device via a local area network (LAN).
38. A computer program product for enforcing an anti-virus policy, comprising:
(a) computer code for receiving a status command at a client computer from a network device utilizing a network;
(b) computer code for sending a status to the network device utilizing the network in response to the status command, the status relating to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer; and
(c) computer code for initiating a response at the client computer utilizing the network based on the status.
39. A system for enforcing an anti-virus policy, comprising:
(a) means for receiving a status command at a client computer from a network device utilizing a network;
(b) means for sending a status to the network device utilizing the network in response to the status command, the status relating to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer; and
(c) means for initiating a response at the client computer utilizing the network based on the status.
40. A system for enforcing an anti-virus policy, comprising: (a) a client agent for receiving a status command at a client computer from a network device utilizing a network, and sending a status to the network device utilizing the network in response to the status command, the status relating to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer; and (b) wherein a response at the client computer is initiated utilizing the network based on the status.
41. A method for enforcing an anti-virus policy, comprising: (a) attempting to gain access to a network via a firewall utilizing a client computer; (b) receiving a command from the firewall utilizing the network; and (c) sending information to the firewall utilizing the network in response to the command; (d) wherein the information relates to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer.
42. A method for enforcing an anti-virus policy, comprising: (a) attempting to gain access to a network via a firewall utilizing a client computer; (b) sending a status to the firewall utilizing the network, the status relating to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer; and (c) gaining access to the network via the firewall based on the status.
43. A method for enforcing an anti-virus policy, comprising: (a) attempting to gain access to a network via a firewall utilizing a client computer; and (b) identifying a status relating to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer; (c) wherein access is selectively allowed to the network via the firewall based on the status.
44. A computer program product for enforcing an anti-virus policy, comprising: (a) computer code for attempting to gain access to a network via a firewall utilizing a client computer; and (b) computer code for identifying a status relating to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer; (c) wherein access is selectively allowed to the network via the firewall based on the status.
45. A method for enforcing an anti-virus policy, comprising: (a) receiving a status command at a client computer from a network device utilizing a network; (b) sending a status to the network device utilizing the network in response to the status command, the status relating to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer; (c) receiving an update command from the network device based on the status, the update command being received if the status indicates that the anti-virus scanning software on the client computer requires an update; and (d) updating the anti -virus scanning software in response to the update command.
46. A method for enforcing an anti-virus policy, comprising: (a) monitoring a port on a client computer; (b) receiving a command at the client computer utilizing a network; (c) determining whether the command is received from a firewall; and (d) if it is determined that the command is received from the firewall: (i) decrypting the command, (ii) determining whether the command includes a status command or an update command, (iii) if the command includes a status command, sending a status to the firewall utilizing the network in response to the status command, the status relating to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer, and (iv) if the command includes an update command, updating the anti-virus scanning software utilizing the network in response to the update command.
PCT/US2002/029302 2001-09-28 2002-09-13 Anti-virus policy enforcement system and method WO2003030001A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/968,106 2001-09-28
US09/968,106 US6892241B2 (en) 2001-09-28 2001-09-28 Anti-virus policy enforcement system and method

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003030001A1 true WO2003030001A1 (en) 2003-04-10

Family

ID=25513742

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/029302 WO2003030001A1 (en) 2001-09-28 2002-09-13 Anti-virus policy enforcement system and method

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US6892241B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2003030001A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8301767B1 (en) 2005-12-21 2012-10-30 Mcafee, Inc. System, method and computer program product for controlling network communications based on policy compliance

Families Citing this family (49)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040073617A1 (en) 2000-06-19 2004-04-15 Milliken Walter Clark Hash-based systems and methods for detecting and preventing transmission of unwanted e-mail
US6993448B2 (en) * 2000-08-09 2006-01-31 Telos Corporation System, method and medium for certifying and accrediting requirements compliance
US7380270B2 (en) * 2000-08-09 2008-05-27 Telos Corporation Enhanced system, method and medium for certifying and accrediting requirements compliance
GB2366693B (en) * 2000-08-31 2002-08-14 F Secure Oyj Software virus protection
US6792543B2 (en) 2001-08-01 2004-09-14 Networks Associates Technology, Inc. Virus scanning on thin client devices using programmable assembly language
US7861303B2 (en) * 2001-08-01 2010-12-28 Mcafee, Inc. Malware scanning wireless service agent system and method
US7093002B2 (en) * 2001-12-06 2006-08-15 Mcafee, Inc. Handling of malware scanning of files stored within a file storage device of a computer network
US7401359B2 (en) * 2001-12-21 2008-07-15 Mcafee, Inc. Generating malware definition data for mobile computing devices
US7603452B1 (en) * 2002-03-26 2009-10-13 Symantec Corporation Networked computer environment assurance system and method
US20030233483A1 (en) * 2002-04-23 2003-12-18 Secure Resolutions, Inc. Executing software in a network environment
US7178144B2 (en) * 2002-04-23 2007-02-13 Secure Resolutions, Inc. Software distribution via stages
US20040006586A1 (en) * 2002-04-23 2004-01-08 Secure Resolutions, Inc. Distributed server software distribution
US20030200300A1 (en) * 2002-04-23 2003-10-23 Secure Resolutions, Inc. Singularly hosted, enterprise managed, plural branded application services
US7401133B2 (en) 2002-04-23 2008-07-15 Secure Resolutions, Inc. Software administration in an application service provider scenario via configuration directives
US20040153703A1 (en) * 2002-04-23 2004-08-05 Secure Resolutions, Inc. Fault tolerant distributed computing applications
US7383579B1 (en) * 2002-08-21 2008-06-03 At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. Systems and methods for determining anti-virus protection status
US6980927B2 (en) * 2002-11-27 2005-12-27 Telos Corporation Enhanced system, method and medium for certifying and accrediting requirements compliance utilizing continuous risk assessment
US20040103309A1 (en) * 2002-11-27 2004-05-27 Tracy Richard P. Enhanced system, method and medium for certifying and accrediting requirements compliance utilizing threat vulnerability feed
US6983221B2 (en) * 2002-11-27 2006-01-03 Telos Corporation Enhanced system, method and medium for certifying and accrediting requirements compliance utilizing robust risk assessment model
JP3979285B2 (en) * 2002-12-17 2007-09-19 株式会社日立製作所 Information processing system
US8984644B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2015-03-17 Securityprofiling, Llc Anti-vulnerability system, method, and computer program product
US9118709B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2015-08-25 Securityprofiling, Llc Anti-vulnerability system, method, and computer program product
US9118711B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2015-08-25 Securityprofiling, Llc Anti-vulnerability system, method, and computer program product
US9118710B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2015-08-25 Securityprofiling, Llc System, method, and computer program product for reporting an occurrence in different manners
US9100431B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2015-08-04 Securityprofiling, Llc Computer program product and apparatus for multi-path remediation
US9118708B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2015-08-25 Securityprofiling, Llc Multi-path remediation
US9350752B2 (en) 2003-07-01 2016-05-24 Securityprofiling, Llc Anti-vulnerability system, method, and computer program product
US20070113272A2 (en) 2003-07-01 2007-05-17 Securityprofiling, Inc. Real-time vulnerability monitoring
US7467201B2 (en) * 2003-08-22 2008-12-16 International Business Machines Corporation Methods, systems and computer program products for providing status information to a device attached to an information infrastructure
US7512808B2 (en) * 2003-08-29 2009-03-31 Trend Micro, Inc. Anti-computer viral agent suitable for innoculation of computing devices
WO2005036339A2 (en) * 2003-10-03 2005-04-21 Enterasys Networks, Inc. System and method for dynamic distribution of intrusion signatures
US7587765B2 (en) * 2003-12-23 2009-09-08 International Business Machines Corporation Automatic virus fix
US7373667B1 (en) * 2004-05-14 2008-05-13 Symantec Corporation Protecting a computer coupled to a network from malicious code infections
US20050259678A1 (en) * 2004-05-21 2005-11-24 Gaur Daniel R Network interface controller circuitry
US7343624B1 (en) 2004-07-13 2008-03-11 Sonicwall, Inc. Managing infectious messages as identified by an attachment
US9154511B1 (en) 2004-07-13 2015-10-06 Dell Software Inc. Time zero detection of infectious messages
WO2006092931A1 (en) * 2005-03-03 2006-09-08 Intelligent Wave Inc. Network connection control program, network connection control method, and network connection control system
US8146072B2 (en) * 2004-07-30 2012-03-27 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. System and method for updating software on a computer
JP2007199880A (en) * 2006-01-25 2007-08-09 Nec Corp Communication system, network for qualification examination and setting, communication device, and networking method for use therewith
WO2007117636A2 (en) 2006-04-06 2007-10-18 Smobile Systems, Inc. Malware detection system and method for comprssed data on mobile platforms
US8935416B2 (en) 2006-04-21 2015-01-13 Fortinet, Inc. Method, apparatus, signals and medium for enforcing compliance with a policy on a client computer
US20080133639A1 (en) * 2006-11-30 2008-06-05 Anatoliy Panasyuk Client Statement of Health
US8307443B2 (en) * 2007-09-28 2012-11-06 Microsoft Corporation Securing anti-virus software with virtualization
US9246768B2 (en) * 2008-06-18 2016-01-26 Camber Corporation Systems and methods for a simulated network attack generator
US8091115B2 (en) * 2008-10-03 2012-01-03 Microsoft Corporation Device-side inline pattern matching and policy enforcement
US8490176B2 (en) * 2009-04-07 2013-07-16 Juniper Networks, Inc. System and method for controlling a mobile device
US9202049B1 (en) 2010-06-21 2015-12-01 Pulse Secure, Llc Detecting malware on mobile devices
US8726338B2 (en) 2012-02-02 2014-05-13 Juniper Networks, Inc. Dynamic threat protection in mobile networks
CN105493096A (en) * 2013-08-28 2016-04-13 慧与发展有限责任合伙企业 Distributed pattern discovery

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5550976A (en) * 1992-12-08 1996-08-27 Sun Hydraulics Corporation Decentralized distributed asynchronous object oriented system and method for electronic data management, storage, and communication
US5832208A (en) * 1996-09-05 1998-11-03 Cheyenne Software International Sales Corp. Anti-virus agent for use with databases and mail servers
US6075863A (en) * 1996-02-28 2000-06-13 Encanto Networks Intelligent communication device
US6088803A (en) * 1997-12-30 2000-07-11 Intel Corporation System for virus-checking network data during download to a client device
US6119165A (en) * 1997-11-17 2000-09-12 Trend Micro, Inc. Controlled distribution of application programs in a computer network
US6205551B1 (en) * 1998-01-29 2001-03-20 Lucent Technologies Inc. Computer security using virus probing
US6269447B1 (en) * 1998-07-21 2001-07-31 Raytheon Company Information security analysis system

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5771354A (en) * 1993-11-04 1998-06-23 Crawford; Christopher M. Internet online backup system provides remote storage for customers using IDs and passwords which were interactively established when signing up for backup services
JPH07281980A (en) 1994-04-08 1995-10-27 Hitachi Ltd Virus infection protecting method
US5937160A (en) * 1997-05-01 1999-08-10 Reedy Creek Technologies, Inc. Systems, methods and computer program products for updating hypertext documents via electronic mail
US6266704B1 (en) * 1997-05-30 2001-07-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Onion routing network for securely moving data through communication networks
US6725377B1 (en) * 1999-03-12 2004-04-20 Networks Associates Technology, Inc. Method and system for updating anti-intrusion software
US6622150B1 (en) * 2000-12-18 2003-09-16 Networks Associates Technology, Inc. System and method for efficiently managing computer virus definitions using a structured virus database
US6718469B2 (en) * 2001-08-01 2004-04-06 Networks Associates Technology, Inc. System and method for executing computer virus definitions containing general purpose programming language extensions
US20090010998A1 (en) 2007-07-03 2009-01-08 Marchitto Kevin S Drug-delivery patch comprising a dissolvable layer and uses thereof

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5550976A (en) * 1992-12-08 1996-08-27 Sun Hydraulics Corporation Decentralized distributed asynchronous object oriented system and method for electronic data management, storage, and communication
US6075863A (en) * 1996-02-28 2000-06-13 Encanto Networks Intelligent communication device
US5832208A (en) * 1996-09-05 1998-11-03 Cheyenne Software International Sales Corp. Anti-virus agent for use with databases and mail servers
US6119165A (en) * 1997-11-17 2000-09-12 Trend Micro, Inc. Controlled distribution of application programs in a computer network
US6088803A (en) * 1997-12-30 2000-07-11 Intel Corporation System for virus-checking network data during download to a client device
US6205551B1 (en) * 1998-01-29 2001-03-20 Lucent Technologies Inc. Computer security using virus probing
US6269447B1 (en) * 1998-07-21 2001-07-31 Raytheon Company Information security analysis system

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8301767B1 (en) 2005-12-21 2012-10-30 Mcafee, Inc. System, method and computer program product for controlling network communications based on policy compliance
US9166984B2 (en) 2005-12-21 2015-10-20 Mcafee, Inc. System, method and computer program product for controlling network communications based on policy compliance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6892241B2 (en) 2005-05-10
US20030065793A1 (en) 2003-04-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6892241B2 (en) Anti-virus policy enforcement system and method
US7007302B1 (en) Efficient management and blocking of malicious code and hacking attempts in a network environment
JP6086968B2 (en) System and method for local protection against malicious software
JP6080910B2 (en) System and method for network level protection against malicious software
US7080408B1 (en) Delayed-delivery quarantining of network communications having suspicious contents
US7373659B1 (en) System, method and computer program product for applying prioritized security policies with predetermined limitations
US6546493B1 (en) System, method and computer program product for risk assessment scanning based on detected anomalous events
JP4742144B2 (en) Method and computer program for identifying a device attempting to penetrate a TCP / IP protocol based network
US6944775B2 (en) Scanner API for executing multiple scanning engines
US7003561B1 (en) System, method and computer program product for improved efficiency in network assessment utilizing a port status pre-qualification procedure
US20060041942A1 (en) System, method and computer program product for preventing spyware/malware from installing a registry
US20050050337A1 (en) Anti-virus security policy enforcement
US20040225877A1 (en) Method and system for protecting computer system from malicious software operation
US20070106786A1 (en) System and Method for Detecting an Infective Element in a Network Environment
US8458789B1 (en) System, method and computer program product for identifying unwanted code associated with network communications
US7000250B1 (en) Virtual opened share mode system with virus protection
US7340775B1 (en) System, method and computer program product for precluding writes to critical files
KR20040065674A (en) Host-based security system and method
US20230179586A1 (en) Systems and methods for proactively upgrading low quality access credentials
WO2003063449A1 (en) System and method for monitoring network security

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TZ UA UG UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC PT SE SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP