Resisting the spread of unwanted code and data
First Claim
1. A method of processing an electronic file to create a substitute electronic file containing only allowable content data, the method comprising:
- receiving an incoming electronic file containing content data encoded and arranged in accordance with a predetermined file type at a server;
determining a purported predetermined file type of the incoming electronic file analyzing the encoded and arranged content data, and an associated set of rules specifying allowable content data for the purported predetermined file type;
determining at least an allowable portion of the content data by determining if the portion of the content data conforms with the set of rules corresponding to the determined purported predetermined file type;
extracting, from the incoming electronic file, the at least an allowable portion of content data by removing the at least an allowable portion of content data from the incoming electronic file;
creating a substitute electronic file in the purported predetermined file type by inserting the at least an allowable portion of content data into the substitute electronic file;
forwarding the substitute regenerated electronic file; and
forwarding the incoming electronic file to an inbox of the recipient if a portion, part or whole of the content data does not conform, and the intended recipient of the incoming electronic file has not pre-approved the predetermined data format and sender of the electronic file, only when the intended recipient is notified by the server and approves the electronic file at the time of receipt at the server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method or system of receiving an incoming electronic file containing content data in a predetermined data format, the method including receiving an incoming electronic file containing content data encoded and arranged in accordance with a predetermined file type, determining a purported predetermined file type of the incoming electronic file and an associated set of rules specifying allowable content data, determining at least an allowable portion of the content data that conforms with the set of rules corresponding to the determined purported predetermined file type, extracting, from the incoming electronic file, the at least an allowable portion of content data, creating a substitute electronic file in the purported predetermined file type, said substitute electronic file containing the extracted allowable content data, forwarding the substitute regenerated electronic file, and forwarding the incoming electronic file if a portion, part or whole of the content data does not conform, only when the intended recipient approves the electronic file at the time of receipt.
88 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of processing an electronic file to create a substitute electronic file containing only allowable content data, the method comprising:
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receiving an incoming electronic file containing content data encoded and arranged in accordance with a predetermined file type at a server; determining a purported predetermined file type of the incoming electronic file analyzing the encoded and arranged content data, and an associated set of rules specifying allowable content data for the purported predetermined file type; determining at least an allowable portion of the content data by determining if the portion of the content data conforms with the set of rules corresponding to the determined purported predetermined file type; extracting, from the incoming electronic file, the at least an allowable portion of content data by removing the at least an allowable portion of content data from the incoming electronic file; creating a substitute electronic file in the purported predetermined file type by inserting the at least an allowable portion of content data into the substitute electronic file; forwarding the substitute regenerated electronic file; and forwarding the incoming electronic file to an inbox of the recipient if a portion, part or whole of the content data does not conform, and the intended recipient of the incoming electronic file has not pre-approved the predetermined data format and sender of the electronic file, only when the intended recipient is notified by the server and approves the electronic file at the time of receipt at the server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A semiconductor device comprising:
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a memory for storing computer instructions executable by a computer to perform; receiving an incoming electronic file containing content data encoded and arranged in accordance with a predetermined file type at the computer; determining a purported predetermined file type of the incoming electronic file by analyzing the arranged and encoded content data and an associated set of rules specifying allowable content data for the purported predetermined file type; determining at least an allowable portion of the content data by determining that the at least an allowable portion of content data conforms with the set of rules corresponding to the determined purported predetermined file type; extracting, from the incoming electronic file, the at least an allowable portion of content data by removing the at least an allowable portion of content data from the incoming electronic file; creating a substitute electronic file of the purported predetermined file type, said substitute electronic file containing the extracted allowable content data by inserting the at least an allowable portion of content data into the substitute electronic file; forwarding the substitute regenerated electronic file; and forwarding the incoming electronic file to an inbox of the recipient if a portion, part or whole of the content data does not conform, and the intended recipient of the incoming electronic file has not pre-approved the predetermined data format and sender of the electronic file, only when the intended recipient is notified by the computer and approves the electronic file at the time of receipt at the computer.
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16. A device for processing an electronic file to create a substitute electronic file containing only allowable content data comprising:
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a memory; and a computer processor in communication with the memory, the processor executing a program stored on said memory to perform; receiving an incoming electronic file at the computer processor, said incoming electronic file containing content data in a predetermined data file type; determining a purported predetermined data file type of the incoming electronic file and an associated set of rules specifying allowable content data for the purported predetermined data file type; determining at least an allowable portion of the content data that conforms with the set of rules corresponding to the determined purported predetermined file type; extracting, from the incoming electronic file, the determined at least one portion of allowable content data; creating a substitute electronic file in the purported predetermined data file type by inserting the at least an allowable portion of content data into the substitute electronic file; forwarding the substitute regenerated electronic file; and forwarding the incoming electronic file to an inbox of the recipient if a portion, part or whole of the content data does not conform, and the intended recipient of the incoming electronic file has not pre-approved the predetermined data format and sender of the electronic file, only when the intended recipient is notified by the computer processor and approves the electronic file at the time of receipt at the computer processor.
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17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a computer program executable by a computer to perform:
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receiving an incoming electronic file at the computer containing content data encoded and arranged in accordance with a predetermined file type; determining a purported predetermined file type of the incoming electronic file and an associated set of rules specifying allowable content data for the purported predetermined file type by analyzing the encoded and arranged content data; determining at least an allowable portion of the content data by determining that the at least an allowable portion of the content data conforms with the set of rules corresponding to the determined purported predetermined file type; extracting, from the incoming electronic file, the at least an allowable portion of content data by removing the at least an allowable portion of content from the incoming electronic file; creating a substitute electronic file in the purported predetermined file type by inserting the at least an allowable portion of content data into the substitute electronic file; forwarding the substitute regenerated electronic file; and forwarding the incoming electronic file to an inbox of the recipient if a portion, part or whole of the content data does not conform, and the intended recipient of the electronic file has not pre-approved the predetermined data format and sender of the electronic file, only when the intended recipient is notified by the computer and approves the electronic file at the time of receipt at the computer.
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Specification