Method and System for Protecting Against Computer Viruses

• US 20080313459A1
• Filed: 08/20/2008
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CA, Inc. (d/b/a CA Technologies) (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Computer Associates Think Inc. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kwan, Tony
• Granted Patent: US 9,088,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/161
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/566 Dynamic detection, i.e. detection performed at run-time, e.g. emulation, suspicious activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/57 Certifying or maintaining trusted computer platforms, e.g. secure boots or power-downs, version controls, system software checks, secure updates or assessing vulnerabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/14 for detecting or protecting against malicious traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/145 the attack involving the propagation of malware through the network, e.g. viruses, trojans or worms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227

Abstract

A method for delivering an update to at least one user, including creating an electronic communication including an update and a unique signature identifying, the electronic communication as including the update and sending the electronic communication to the user.

Claims

1. A method for delivering an update to at least one user, comprising:

creating an electronic communication comprising an update and a unique

signature identifying said electronic communication as including said update; and

sending said electronic communication to said at least one user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said electronic communication is an email.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said electronic communication is an instant message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said update includes one or more virus signatures.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said update includes one or more heuristics.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said update includes a program update.

7. A method for receiving an update, comprising:

receiving an electronic communication;

identifying whether said electronic communication includes an update; and

applying said update when said electronic communication has been identified as including an update.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said electronic communication is an email.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said electronic communication is an instant message.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said update includes one or more virus signatures.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said update includes one or more heuristics.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein said update includes a program update.

13. A method for delivering an update to at least one user, comprising:

creating an electronic communication comprising an alert message; and

sending said electronic communication comprising said alert message to said at

least one user.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said alert message includes a link to an update.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said update includes one or more virus signatures.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said update includes one or more heuristics.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said update includes a program update.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein said alert message includes instructions for obtaining an update.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said update includes one or more virus signatures.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said update includes one or more heuristics.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said update includes a program update.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein said electronic communication additionally comprises a unique signature identifying said electronic communication as including said alert message.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein said electronic communication is an email.

24. The method of claim 13, wherein said electronic communication is an instant message.