Techniques for avoiding dynamic domain name system (DNS) collisions

• US 9,130,994 B1
• Filed: 03/09/2011
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gen Digital Inc.
• Original Assignee: Symantec Corporation (NortonLifeLock Inc.)
• Inventors: Newstadt, Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): Keehn, Richard G
• Application Number:
  US13/043,878
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 709/202
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/103 across network layers, e.g. resolution of network layer into physical layer addresses or address resolution protocol [ARP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4511 using domain name system [DNS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5076 Update or notification mechanisms, e.g. DynDNS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal

Abstract

Techniques for avoiding dynamic domain name system (DNS) collisions are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for avoiding dynamic domain name system (DNS) collisions comprising: storing a first location associated with a first client device, a second location associated with a second client device, and a third location associated with a network, receiving, from the first client device, a first notification indicating an Internet Protocol (IP) address via the network, receiving, from the second client device, a second notification indicating the IP address via the network, determining a most likely owner of the network between the first client device and the second client device based on the first location, the second location, and the third location, and applying a content filtering policy associated with the first client device when the first client device is determined to be the most likely owner.

Claims

1. A method for avoiding dynamic domain name system (DNS) collisions comprising:

storing a first location associated with a primary location of a first client device associated with a first dynamic DNS user, a second location associated with a primary location of a second client device associated with a second dynamic DNS user, and a third location associated with a primary location of a network;

receiving, from the first client device associated with the first dynamic DNS user, a first notification indicating an Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned to the network, wherein the first client device is connected to the network;

receiving, from the second client device associated with the second dynamic DNS user, a second notification indicating the IP address assigned to the network, wherein the IP address received from the second client device is the same as the IP address received from the first client device, and wherein the second client device is connected to the network;

determining a most likely owner of the network between the first client device and the second client device based on the first location, the second location, and the third location, wherein ownership of a network determines which dynamic DNS user the network shall be attributed to; and

applying a content filtering policy associated with the first client device to at least one attempt to access a network resource via the network when the first client device is determined to be the most likely owner.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first client device stores a first dynamic DNS agent.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the network comprises a private network.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least one of the first location, the second location, and the third location using one or more trace routes.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining at least one of the first location, the second location, and the third location using triangulation.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location, the second location, and the third location comprise logical locations.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first location, the second location, and the third location comprise physical locations.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein the second client device stores a second dynamic DNS agent, wherein the first dynamic DNS agent and the second dynamic DNS agent are the same type of DNS agent.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein determining a most likely owner of the network further comprises comparing the primary location of the private network to the primary location of the first client device and the primary location of the second client device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second client device is visiting an area associated with the third location.

11. At least one non-transitory processor readable storage medium for storing a computer program of instructions configured to be readable by at least one processor for instructing the at least one processor to execute a computer process for performing the method as recited in claim 1.

12. An article of manufacture for avoiding dynamic domain name system (DNS) collisions, the article of manufacture comprising:

at least one non-transitory processor readable medium; and

instructions stored on the at least one medium;

wherein the instructions are configured to be readable from the at least one medium by at least one processor and thereby cause the at least one processor to operate so as to;

store a first location associated with a primary location of a first client device associated with a first dynamic DNS user, a second location associated with a primary location of a second client device associated with a second dynamic DNS user, and a third location associated with a primary location of a network;

receive, from the first client device associated with the first dynamic DNS user, a first notification indicating an Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned to the network, wherein the first client device is connected to the network;

receive, from the second client device associated with the second dynamic DNS user, a second notification indicating the IP address assigned to the network, wherein the IP address received from the second client device is the same as the IP address received from the first client device, and wherein the second client device is connected to the network;

determine a most likely owner of the network between the first client device and the second client device based on the first location, the second location, and the third location, wherein ownership of a network determines which dynamic DNS user the network shall be attributed to; and

apply a content filtering policy associated with the first client device to at least one attempt to access a network resource via the network when the first client device is determined to be the most likely owner.

13. A system for avoiding dynamic domain name system (DNS) collisions comprising:

one or more hardware processors communicatively coupled to a network, wherein the one or more hardware processors are configured to;

store a first location associated with a primary location of a first client device associated with a first dynamic DNS user, a second location associated with a primary location of a second client device associated with a second dynamic DNS user, and a third location associated with a primary location of a network;

receive, from the first client device associated with the first dynamic DNS user, a first notification indicating an Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned to the network, wherein the first client device is connected to the network;

receive, from the second client device associated with the second dynamic DNS user, a second notification indicating the IP address assigned to the network, wherein the IP address received from the second client device is the same as the IP address received from the first client device, and wherein the second client device is connected to the network;

determine a most likely owner of the network between the first client device and the second client device based on the first location, the second location, and the third location, wherein ownership of a network determines which dynamic DNS user the network shall be attributed to; and

apply a content filtering policy associated with the first client device to at least one attempt to access a network resource via the network when the first client device is determined to be the most likely owner.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first client device stores a first dynamic DNS agent, wherein the second client device stores a second dynamic DNS agent, and wherein the first dynamic DNS agent and the second dynamic DNS agent are the same type of DNS agent.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the network comprises a private network.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more hardware processors are configured to determine at least one of the first location, the second location, and the third location using one or more trace routes.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the one or more hardware processors are configured to determine at least one of the first location, the second location, and the third location using triangulation.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the first location, the second location, and the third location comprise logical locations.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the first location, the second location, and the third location comprise physical locations.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the second client device is visiting an area associated with the third location.