Electronic file analyzer and selector

• US 5,848,418 A
• Filed: 02/19/1997
• Issued: 12/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Watchsoft, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Watchsoft, Inc.
• Inventors: de Souza, Peter Andre, Angelo, Michael F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jung, David Yiuk
• Application Number:
  US08/802,118
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1-10, 707/100-104, 707/200-204, 395/705, 395/708, 345/335, 390/420
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

An apparatus and method for finding objectionable material contained within electronic files is presented. The apparatus consists of a computer system that is provided with a computer, a video display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files. Each of the electronic files is stored according to an operating system which incorporates a file name and a file name suffix. The method includes provisions for a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each electronic file. All of the electronic files are located on each of said storage devices for checking. During the checking process, for example, each file is checked to determine the file'"'"'s real type property. If the checked file is determined to be a graphics file, then the file will be identified as a graphics file. If the file is not a graphics file, (i.e., it is a text file) then it is interrogated in order to determine if the text contains objectionable language. If objectionable language is found, then the text file is flagged as suspicious or questionable. A listing of all suspicious, questionable, or graphics files are presented to the user who may then review the file for further processing or destroy it.

Claims

1. A process for searching objectional material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction,

g) determining said file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is contained within said list of predetermined file signatures than setting said real type property of said file to non-graphics,

j) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file, and

k) if said file suffix is equivalent to said real type property of said file then setting said claimed type property of said file to said real type property of said file,

l) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

m) if said file is a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to questionable.

2. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction,

g) determining said file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is contained within said list of predetermined file signatures than setting said real type property of said file to non-graphics

j) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file, and

k) if said file suffix is equivalent to said real type property of said file then setting said claimed type property of said file to said real type property of said file,

l) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

m) if said file is not a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to okay.

3. A process for searching objectional material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction,

g) determining said file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is contained within said list of predetermined file signatures than setting said real type property of said file to non-graphics,

j) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file, and

k) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes,

l) if said file suffix is not contained within said pre-determined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to unknown,

m) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

n) if said file is a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to questionable.

4. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction,

g) determining said file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is contained within said list of predetermined file signatures than setting said real type property of said file to non-graphics

j) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file, and

k) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes,

l) if said file suffix is not contained within said pre-determined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to unknown,

m) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

n) if said file is not a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to okay.

5. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction,

g) determining said file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is contained within said list of predetermined file signatures than setting said real type property of said file to non-graphics

j) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file, and

k) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes,

l) if said file suffix is contained within said pre-determined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to a file type of a suffix on said pre-determined list of file suffixes that matched said file suffix

m) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

n) if said file is a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to questionable.

6. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction,

g) determining said file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is contained within said list of predetermined file signatures than setting said real type property of said file to non-graphics

j) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file, and

k) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes,

l) if said file suffix is contained within said pre-determined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to a file type of a suffix on said pre-determined list of file suffixes that matched said file suffix

m) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

n) if said file is not a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to okay.

7. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction,

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file, and

l) if said file suffix is equivalent to said real type property of said file then setting said claimed type property of said file to said real type property of said file,

m) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

n) if said file is a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to questionable.

8. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics,

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file, and

l) if said file suffix is equivalent to said real type property of said file then setting said claimed type property of said file to said real type property of said file,

m) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file, then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

n) if said file is not a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to okay.

9. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file,

l) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes, and

m) if said file suffix is not contained within said predetermined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to unknown,

n) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

o) if said file is a hidden file then setting said result type property of said file to questionable.

10. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics,

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file,

l) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes, and

m) if said file suffix is not contained within said predetermined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to unknown,

n) if said real type property of said file is not equivalent to said claimed type property of said file, and if said claimed type property of said file is equivalent to graphics, then setting said result type property of said file to suspicious.

11. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file,

l) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes, and

m) if said file suffix is contained within said predetermined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to a file type of a suffix on said pre-determined list of file suffixes that matched said file suffix,

n) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

o) if said file is a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to questionable.

12. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file,

l) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes, and

m) if said file suffix is contained within said predetermined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to a file type of a suffix on said pre-determined list of file suffixes that matched said file suffix,

n) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

o) if said file is not a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to okay.

13. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics,

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file, and

l) if said file suffix is equivalent to said real type property of said file then setting said claimed type property of said file to said real type property of said file,

m) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

n) if said file is a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to questionable.

14. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction,

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file, and

l) if said file suffix is equivalent to said real type property of said file then setting said claimed type property of said file to said real type property of said file,

m) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

n) if said file is not a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to okay.

15. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics,

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file,

l) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes, and

m) if said file suffix is not contained within said predetermined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to unknown,

n) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

o) if said file is a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to questionable.

16. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file,

l) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes, and

m) if said file suffix is not contained within said predetermined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to unknown,

n) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file, then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

o) if said file is not a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to okay.

17. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file,

l) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes, and

m) if said file suffix is contained within said pre-determined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to a file type of a suffix on said pre-determined list of file suffixes that matched said file suffix

n) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

o) if said file is not a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to questionable.

18. A process for searching for objectionable material in a computer system having a computer, a display, a buffer memory, and at least one electronic file storage device capable of storing electronic files, said electronic files having a file name, a file suffix, and a file signature and a record array having a real type property, a claimed type property, and a result type property for each of said electronic files, comprising the steps of:

a) locating said electronic files on each of said storage devices,

b) checking each of said electronic files on each of said storage devices to determine said real type property of said file,

c) if said file checked in step b) is a graphics type file, then identifying said file as a graphics file,

d) if said file checked in step b) is not a graphics type file then interrogating said file to determine if said file contains objectionable material,

e) if said file interrogated in step d) contains objectionable material, then identifying said file as a text file containing objectionable material, and

f) presenting an itemized list of said text files containing objectionable material and said graphics files to a user so that said user may select files for review or destruction,

g) determining a file signature of said electronic file,

h) comparing said file signature to a list of predetermined file signatures, and

i) if said file signature is not contained within said list of predetermined file signatures, then sending said file through a graphics file filter in order to determine if said file is a graphics file, and

j) if said file is determined to be a graphics file in step i) then setting said real type property of said file to graphics,

k) comparing a file suffix of said file to said real type property of said file,

l) if said file suffix is not equivalent to said real type property of said file then comparing said file suffix to a predetermined list of file suffixes, and

m) if said file suffix is contained within said pre-determined list of file suffixes then setting said claimed type property of said file to a file type of a suffix on said pre-determined list of file suffixes that matched said file suffix

n) if said real type property of said file is equivalent to said claimed type property of said file then examining said file to determine if said file is a hidden file,

o) if said file is not a hidden file, then setting said result type property of said file to okay.