Patent ID: 7373667

Claim:
A computer implemented method by which a first computer determines that it is safe to communicate with a second computer coupled to the first computer over a network, said method comprising the steps of the first computer: detecting that the second computer has initiated a test open of a first file stored in association with the first computer; sending to the second computer a message conveying information pertaining to malicious code scanning capabilities of the first computer; detecting an actual open command for the first file from the second computer responsive to second computer determining that the first computer has acceptable malicious code scanning capabilities; detecting a malicious code scan of the first file conducted over the network by the second computer responsive to the second computer determining that first computer does not contain malicious code scanning capabilities; detecting an actual open command for the first file from the second computer when the malicious code scan of the first file over the network indicates that the first file does not contain malicious code; and when the test open is followed by an actual open command from the second computer seeking to actually open the first file, determining that it is safe to communicate with the second computer.