Patent ID: 7752317

Claim:
A method for ensuring that a client computer has up-to-date virus protection by accessing a server for a latest virus file prior to booting a disk image on the client computer, the method comprising: receiving, during a pre-boot process of the client computer, an access request from the client computer for a latest virus file resident on a server, the server: i) determining whether the client computer includes the latest virus file; and ii) forwarding to the client computer the latest virus file if the client computer does not include the latest virus file; receiving from the server and storing the latest virus file at the client computer; running a local virus scan at the client computer using the latest virus file; subsequently booting the disk image on the client computer in accordance with the disk image boot up process, and wherein the disk image boot up process includes the server: determining whether the client computer has performed the local virus scan using the latest virus file; and providing notification for granting the client computer network access based on determination that the client computer has performed the local virus scan using the latest virus file.