Patent Publication Number: US-RE42212-E

Title: Protection system and method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No.  6 , 732 , 279 , which issued from U.S. application Ser. No.  10 / 346 , 025 , filed Jan.  16 ,  2003 , which is a continuation-in-part application  of pending application Ser.  U.S. application Ser. No. 09/804,796  09/804,796, filed Mar. 14,  2001.  2001, now abandoned.   
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     A anti-virusA protection system for use within a data transmission network to protect against the transfer of viruses from a source(s) or originator(s) to a recipient(s) or subscriber(s) over the data transmission network. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     With the advent of data transfer over communication networks, computer viruses, worms and Trojan horses have plagued and compromised the operation of the various computers or nodes. A computer virus is a section of code that is buried or hidden in another program attaching itself to other programs in the system that, in turn, can be copied over to other programs. Such viruses can cause a message to be displayed on the screen or actually destroy programs and data. Worms, on the other hand, are destructive programs that replicate themselves using up computer resources  resources, eventually causing the computer system to crash. 
     The prior art has attempted to reduce the effects of viruses and eliminate the proliferation through virus detection programs. For example, an operator can monitor a computer or system for such basis  basic operating functions such as write, erase or format disk. When such operations occur, the user is prompted to confirm whether the operation is expected. If the particular operation or function is not expected, the user aborts the operation as having been prompted by a virus program. Another virus detection method,  method scans program code being copied onto the system searching for recognizable patterns of program code used for viruses. Another method employs check summary on host programs known to be free from viruses. If a virus later attaches itself to a host program, the value will be different and the presence of a virus detected. 
     Unfortunately, despite these efforts of  efforts, the prior art suffer  suffers from various deficiencies. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for effectively detecting and eliminating viruses without significantly affecting the performance of the computer. Behavior interception is not successful at detecting all viruses since a virus can be placed at locations where such  critical operations are likely to occur for the normal operation of programs. Second, most signature scanning is only performed on new inputs from disk drives. With the advent of the Internet and its increased popularity, there are no prior art methods that have been able to successfully scan connections such as those utilized by a gateway node in communicating with other networks. Third, many of the above methods require a significant amount of computing resources, which in turn degrades the overall performance of the system. Thus, operating the  virus detection programs on every computer becomes impractical. Therefore, the operation of many such virus detection programs is disabled for improved performance of individual machines. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,600 discloses a system for detecting and eliminating viruses on a computer network that includes a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) proxy server, for controlling the transfer of files  files, and a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) proxy server  server, for controlling the transfer of mail messages through the system. The FTP proxy server and SMTP proxy server run concurrently with the normal operation of the system and operate in a manner such that viruses transmitted to or from the network in files and messages are detected before transfer into or from the system. The FTP proxy server and SMTP proxy server scan all incoming and outgoing files and messages respectively before transfer  messages, respectively, for viruses before transfer, and then transfer the files and messages, only if they do not contain any viruses. The method for processing a file before transmission into or from the network includes the steps of receiving the data transfer command and file name; transferring the file to a system node; performing virus detection on the file; determining whether the file contains any viruses; transferring the file from the system to a recipient node if the file does not contain a virus; and deleting the file if the file contains a virus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,721 and U.S. Pat. No.  6,292,569 describes a system and method  describe systems and methods  using cryptography to protect Secure  secure computation environments from bogus or rogue load modules, executables  executables, and other data elements through use of digital signatures, seals  seals, and certificates issued by a verifying authority. The verifying authority tests the load modules or other executables to verify that the corresponding specifications are accurate and complete, and then digitally signs the load module or other executable based on tamper resistance work factor classification. Secure computation environments with different tamper resistance work factors use different verification digital signature authentication techniques allowing one tamper resistance work factor environment to protect against load modules from another, different tamper resistance work factor environment. Several dissimilar digital signature algorithms may be used to reduce vulnerability from algorithm compromise, and subsets of multiple digital signatures may be used to reduce the scope of any specific compromise. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,842 teaches a first data processing device (node I) coupled to a first private network and to a firewall server (FWA). Firewall server FWA is in turn coupled to a public network such as the Internet. A second data processing device (node J) is coupled to a second private network that is coupled to the Internet through a firewall server (FWB). Node I provides a data packet  packet, including IP data and a destination address for the intended receiving node J  J, to the firewall FWA. The firewall FWA is provided with a secret value a,  “a,” and a public value. The firewall FWB is provided with a secret value “b,” and a public value. The firewall FWA obtains a Diffie-Hellman (DH) certificate for the firewall FWB and determines the public value from the DH certificate. Firewall FWA then computes the value and derives a key K. ( K ab)  from the value .varies.sup.ab mod p.  p ( ∝     ab      mod p ). A transient key K. (K p)  is randomly generated and is used to encrypt the data packet to be transmitted by firewall FWA to firewall FWB. The encrypted data packet is then encapsulated in a transmission packet by the firewall FWA. The transmission packet includes an unencrypted destination address for the firewall FWB. Firewall FWA then sends the transmission packet to firewall FWB over the Internet. Upon receipt of the transmission packet from firewall FWA, firewall FWB obtains a DH certificate for firewall FWA, and determines the public value of from the DH certificate. Firewall FWB computes the value of .varies.sup.ab mod p,  (∝ab  mod p ) ,  and derives the key K.sub.ab. (K ab ) .  Firewall B utilizes the key K.sub.ab (K ab ) to decrypt the transient key K. and  (K p ) ,  using the decrypted transient key K. (K p ) ,  firewall FWB decrypts the encrypted data packet received from FWA, thereby resulting in the recovery of the original data sent by node I in unencrypted form to the firewall FWA. The firewall FWB then transmits the decrypted data packet to the receiving node J over the second private network. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,850 shows a method for secure transmission of data having a destination address and a source address on a shared communication network. The method comprise the steps of  of: transmitting a multiplicity of data frames, each containing at least an encrypted data sequence employing the destination address as at least part of a decryption key therefor,  therefor; receiving the multiplicity of data frames at a receiver on the shared communication network  network; and attempting to decrypt the encrypted data sequence by employing the local address of the receiver as at least part of a decryption key. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,122 relates to an internet authentication method to verify a sending host by a receiving host or an intermediate router or gateway. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a network address and a public key of a receiving host; utilizing the public key from the receiving host in combination with a private key of the originating host to generate a cryptographic signature; transmitting the signature along with data through a first subnetwork in at least one packet; receiving at least one packet at the receiving host; and the receiving host utilizing a private key of said receiving host site and a public key of said originating host to verify said cryptographic signature. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,118 shows a system to reduce the risk of damage to data or programs in an end user computer system programmed to operate in response to an imported data stream containing one or more mobile program components from an external source. The incoming data stream is screened to identify mobile program components of that data stream. Some  Prior to being executed, some of the mobile program components are passed to a program execution location isolated from the end user system prior to being executed  to operate in a desired manner. The execution location has an interface with the external source of the data stream and an interface with the end user system. The operation of the interface between the execution location and the end user system is programmed so that only data that has been interacted on by the program component within the execution location in a specified and controlled manner can be passed to and from the end user system. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,620 describes a secure network interface unit (SNIU) to provide multi-level security on a network having a plurality of secured and unsecured users including  including: network interface means for communicating on the network,  network; identifying the source and destination of a message intercepted on the network; determining the security levels of each of the plurality of users; a trusted computing base for determining whether the message, if transmitted to the destination user, will violate security parameters; and,  cryptographically encrypting messages sent to, and decrypting messages received from  from, another SNIU affiliated with the destination user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,583 shows a system and method for data communication with adaptive security in which a send host transmits a data stream to a receive host in packets which contain an authentication data block with an authentication header and a signature block. The authentication header advantageously contains various fields including a verification type, a security algorithm, a minimum security level, a target security level, and an actual security level. The receive host adaptively performs verification of the data packets using varying security levels based in part on the availability of security operations per second (SOPS) in the receive host. Where a data stream in the receive host is delayed by a security processing bottleneck, the receive host may alter the verification type, security algorithm, or the actual security level to speed up the processing of the data stream by reducing the amount of security processing performed. The receive host further allocates the SOPS among the data streams received. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,806 describes a communication system in which a user device generates authentication information unique to the user device and provides a data packet including this authentication information to an infrastructure part which is a gateway or a host. The packet also contains a host identifier or time dependent information. This is used at the gateway or the host to authenticate the packet. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0023214 shows how secure computation environments are protected from bogus or rogue load modules, executablesexecutables, and other data elements through use of digital signatures, sealsseals, and certificates issued by a verifying authority. A verifying authority tests the load modules or other executables to verify that their corresponding specifications are accurate and complete, and then digitally signs the load module or other executable based on a tamper resistance work factor classification. Secure computation environments with different tamper resistance work factors use different verification digital signature authentication techniques, e.g. different signature algorithms and/or signature verification keys, allowing one tamper resistance work factor environment to protect itself against load modules from another, different tamper resistance work factor environment. Several dissimilar digital signature algorithms may be used to reduce vulnerability from algorithm compromise, and subsets of multiple digital signatures may be used to reduce the scope of any specific compromise. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0040439 teaches a system and method for providing external data signal isolation, and signal-level information-preserving-data-transformations, to enable safe, operationally efficient, information sharing between protected information systems and networks and external, potentially hostile, information systems and networksnetworks, which neutralizesneutralize any imbedded hostile executable codes such as viruses that may be in data-signals incoming from the external systems and networks. The system and method prevent untransformed external data-signals from entering protected systems and/or networks using an intermediate screen that is a computer hardware device. The intermediate screen, which may be implemented as a network of systems, is deployed between the protected systems and external systems and is used to process all incoming signals from the external systemsystems to obtain transformed data sets from which information is extracted before it is passed to the protected systemsystems. The incoming signals all remain confined in the intermediate screen. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an anti-virus  a protection system and method for use with a data transmission network to protect against the transfer of viruses or other unwanted data. The data transmission network comprises a network of transmission originators and subscribers/recipients coupled through a data transfer control means or router. 
     The data transfer control means functions as a gate keeper to detect viruses, worms, Trojan horses or spam before handing-off any data to a subscriber/recipient acting as a virtual isolation room to isolate subscribers/recipients from unwanted transmissions. 
     The anti-virus  protection method is implemented through the use of a transmission pack formatted to allow the data transmission control means to scan the transmission pack for preassigned security codes, subscriber/recipient information and other authentication information to control the transfer of data between transmission originators and subscribers/recipients. 
     The method comprises the steps of assigning a discrete security code to the transmission originator; generating a transmission pack including a discrete subscriber/recipient IP address code element corresponding to the discrete subscriber/recipient IP address code of the subscriber/recipient, a discrete security code element corresponding to the discrete security code assigned to the transmission originator, a file extension element  element, and a data packet element; transmitting the transmission pack to the data transfer control means; authenticating the transmission pack with the discrete subscriber/recipient IP address code element, discrete security code element  element, and transmission originator; transferring the authenticated transmission pack to the subscriber/recipient  subscriber/recipient; and isolating the subscriber/recipient from an unauthenticated transmission pack to prevent the transfer of an unauthenticated transmission pack to the subscriber/recipient. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
     The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a data communication network in which the anti-virus  protection system of the present invention is deployed. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a transmission pack of the anti-virus  protection system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart depicting the sequence of operation of the method of the anti-virus  protection system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4 diagramicallydiagrammatically depicts the system of the anti-virus  protection system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention relates to an anti-virus  a protection system and method for use with a data transmission network to protect against the transfer of viruses or other unwanted data. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the data transmission network comprises at least one transmission originator  10  coupled to at least one subscriber/recipient  12  by a data transfer control means or router  14  and a plurality of communication links each indicated as  16 . The subscribers/recipients  12  may compromise a personal computer  12 A, a wide area network  12 B or a local area network  12 C. 
     Since the data transfer control means  14  includes circuitry and logic to scan transmissions from the transmission originator  10  as a gate keeper to detect viruses, worms, Trojan horses or spam before handing-off any data to a subscriber/recipient  12 , the data transfer control means  14 , in effect, acts as a virtual isolation room to isolate subscribers/recipients  12  from unwanted transmissions. 
     The anti-virus  protection method is implemented through the use of a transmission pack formatted to allow the data transmission control means to scan the transmission pack for preassigned  pre- assigned  security codes, subscriber/recipient information  information, and other authentication information to control the transfer of data between transmission originators and subscriber/recipients. 
     An extended security or key code as described hereinafter is selected and assigned to each transmission originator  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the system includes a plurality of security levels. For example, a transmission originator  10 A that transmits particularly significant or sensitive information  information, such as a bank of  or other financial institution that transmits through an ‘on-line’ basis, having been  can be assigned a ‘secure degree’ encrypted address or key. Less sensivite  sensitive information that might be subject to E-mails  e- mails  between a subscriber/recipient  12 A/ 12 B/ 12 C and a transmission originator  10 B can be accessed or transferred with the second level of security. At this level, the transmission is screened for known viruses and/or trigger references and, if clean, then routed to a holding mailbox or mini-server  18  (FIG.  4 ). Transmissions not having an assigned security code are classified as ‘non-extension’ transmissions, either for selective subsequent ‘discrete’ review by a subscriber/recipient  12 A/ 12 B/ 12 C or rejected  for rejection and automatically returned  automatic return to the transmission originator  10 C. 
     Of course, a transmission originator  10  can be assigned multiple security codes corresponding to each of the plurality of security levels to allow the system to authenticate and transfer data of different levels of security from a single transmission originator  10  to one or more subscribers/recipients  12 A/ 12 B/ 12 C. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3    3 , and  4 , the data transmission control means or router  14  is operatively ‘in-line’ between transmission originators  10 A/ 10 /B/ 10 C and the subscribers/recipients  12 A/ 12 B/ 12 C. For example, in the larger wide area network systems  12 B, the data transmission control means or hub router  14  either can be either  at the internet service provider hub router or NAP distribution point that precedes the final transmittal address or can be internal to the termination point receiver/router. In smaller systems  systems, such as the local area network  12 C or individual PC  12 A, the data transmission control means or hub router  14  can be located at the terminal point, either as part of the PC or at the Intranet terminal receiver/router. 
     As previously described, the anti-virus protector  protection method is implemented through the use of a transmission pack formatted to allow the data transmission control means or router  14  to scan the transmission pack for preassigned  pre- assigned  security codes, subscriber/recipient information  information, and other authentication information and to transfer data from transmission originators  10 A/ 10 B/ 10 C to subscribers/recipients  12 A/ 12 B/ 12 C when a transmission pack is authenticated as having the appropriate coded information. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the transmission pack generally indicated as  20  comprises an IP address code element  22  that identifies the postal box of an addressee or recipient, an extended security or key code element  24  to designate one of the plurality of corresponding security levels previously described, a file extension element  26  to indicate the program language  language, and a data packet element  28  comprising the data to be transmitted or transferred. 
     The method of the present invention is to protect against the transfer of viruses from a transmission originator  10    10 , having a discrete transmission originator code  code, to a subscriber/recipient  12    12 , having a discrete subscriber/recipient IP address code  code, over the data transmission network comprising the steps of  of: assigning a discrete security code to the transmission originator  10 ; generating a transmission pack  20  including the discrete subscriber/recipient IP address code element  22  corresponding to the discrete subscriber/recipient IP address code of the subscriber/recipient  12 , a discrete security code element  24  corresponding to the discrete security code assigned to the transmission originator  10 , a file extension element  26    26 , and a data packet element  28 ; transmitting the transmission pack  20  to a data transfer control means  14 ; authenticating the transmission pack  20  with the discrete subscriber/recipient IP address code element  22 , discrete security code element  24    24 , and discrete transmission originator code; transferring the authenticated transmission pack  20  to the subscriber/recipient  12    12 ; and isolating the subscriber/recipient  12  from an unauthenticated transmission pack to prevent the transfer of an unauthenticated transmission packet  packet, scanned and compared with the authenticating information by the data transfer control means  14    14 , to the subscriber/recipient  12 . 
     The discrete security codes and corresponding discrete security code elements  24  may represent one of a plurality of predetermined security levels where a single transmission originator  10  can be preassigned  pre- assigned  multiple level security codes corresponding to more than one of the levels of security for data as varying sensitivity or security dictates. 
     In addition, the discrete security code elements  24  can include the identity of the transmission originator  10  assigned the specific discrete security code and corresponding discrete security code element. 
     As previously mentioned, a discrete extended security or key code element  22    24  is selected and assigned to each transmission originator  10 A/ 10 B/ 10 C to correspond to one of the three levels of security. In addition, a transmission originator  10  may be assigned several different discrete security code elements to transmit and transfer data to subscribers/recipients having different security requirements. 
     Specifically as depicted in FIG.  3 ,   FIGS. 3 and 4 , the data transfer control means or hub router  14  scans transmission packs  20  addressed to a subscriber/recipient  12 A/ 12 B/ 12 C through appropriate security level. 
     If the IP address code element  22 , encrypted “key” code or discrete security code element  24  (first security level)  level) ,  and transmission originator  10  are authenticated by comparison with the authentic transmission pack format, the system establishes a secure data port to transfer or download the data to the subscribers/recipients  12 . 
     If the IP address code element  22 , secure “key” code or discrete security code element  24  (second security level)  level) ,  and transmission originator  10  are authenticated, the system establishes a controlled data port received  at an IP controlled data point and the data are routed to a holding mail box or mini-server  18  at the subscriber/recipient  12  for selective review before downloading by the subscriber/recipient  12 . 
     If the IP address code element  22  and no  without a “key” code extention  extension  24  (third level of security) are  is not authenticated, no data port is opened or established and data is returned to the transmission originator  10 . 
     It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description  description, are efficiently attained and  and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 
     Now that the invention has been described,