Patent ID: 7516489
Filing Date: 2009-04-07
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of preventing the infection of a computer network by a computer virus, where that virus can be spread by e-mail traffic, the method comprising: installing at an e-mail gateway of the network an anti-virus application, which application scans at least incoming e-mail traffic for known viruses; in the event that a new virus is detected by the provider of the anti-virus application, sending a notification of this event from the provider to the anti-virus-application; at the anti-virus application, responding to said notification by discontinuing normal handling of e-mails, wherein discontinuing normal handling of e-mails includes failing to deliver incoming e-mails or their attachments to their recipients within the network and causing these e-mails or attachments to be re-directed to a buffer for safe storage; subseguently generating a signature for the virus at the anti-virus application provider and providing that signature to the application at the gateway at the gateway, after receiving the signature, using the application to scan the previously buffered e-mails or attachments for the virus; after scanning the previously buffered e-mails, delivering e-mails or attachments which are virus free to their recipients, and causing the normal handling of e-mails at the e-mail gateway to be resumed.