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US 2003/0195933 A1Published application
Web filter screen
AssigneeNone recorded
InventorsThomas Charles Curren, Robert Jose Hernandez
Life of this patent
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AssigneeNone recorded
InventorsThomas Charles Curren, Robert Jose Hernandez
Estimating the term…
A system is shown where a web message is sorted by a hierarchical sort that examines a series of different aspects of the message and stores the web message in appropriate memories sealed from the main memory of the computer thus allowing either block or individual examination and elimination of unwanted spam. A further refinement shows a system and method to assist the user without access to drop down menu formats and that further provides directional information on the prior steps taken before help was requested and the steps available from that point forward.
A positive acceptance system consisting of a set of at least a general memory register and a first secondary memory register and a second secondary memory register plus at least a first address tag register and a second address tag register, where a incoming message is received and placed into said general memory register, then the portion of said incoming message that contains an address tag is identified by address tag identification means and said identified address tag is compared with acceptable address tags loaded into said first address tag register and allowed entry into said first secondary memory register if a match between said incoming address tag and said first address tag registers is found, and if no match is found or no tag is found, the incoming identified address tag is then compared to the contents of said second address tag register and if a match or if no said identified address tag is found, the incoming message is deleted from the general memory register, then if no comparison with said first address register and with said second address register is not made and if said incoming address tag exists, said incoming message is placed in said secondary message register.
The claim in 1 where a further screen is performed by examination of the contents of said address tag with a preloaded list of words or tags and said incoming message is discarded with said words or tags are found in said incoming message and allowed into said general memory if no such words or tags are found.
The claim in 1 where a help function is provided by embedding into each location of functions upon the screen by embedding means a text explanation accessible by means of a mouse or other pointing means.
The claim in 1 where a directional indicator is provided by embedding into each location of functions upon the screen by embedding means a directional indicator such as an arrow or line showing the last step taken in the sort process.
The claim in 1 where a directional indicator is provided by embedding into each location of functions upon the screen by embedding means a directional indicator such as an arrow or line showing the next step taken in the sort process.
The claim in 3 where a help function is provided by embedding into each location of functions upon the screen by embedding means a text explanation accessible by means of a mouse or other pointing means.
A method of positively sorting incoming electronic communications where a first comparison of the message against a list of tags on the incoming message is performed and if a tag listed as acceptable is found then the message is sent to a secondary memory where it is then scanned against a list of acceptable words and if one of the acceptable words is found the message is forwarded to a general memory register and where if the comparison shows no acceptable word the incoming message is sent to a third memory register.
A method of providing assistance to a sequential sorting or other computer based program of multiple steps where a help function is provided by embedding into each location of functions upon the screen by embedding means a text explanation accessible by means of a mouse or other pointing means.
A process where incoming message is analyzed for HTML content, is then segregated if a message contains HTML content, the HTML content is further analyzed to determine if the off-site references are contained within this portion of said content, and then off-site references are removed, leaving only text message as actually received.
The process in 16 where said off-site references and messages containing off-site references are segregated and said removal is initiated by a computer user.
A method of protecting input from off-site E-Mail where, any attachment received by a protected computer has all spaces after the attachment extension crushed or eliminated, the elimination of this blank space making visible to a user any commands or file extensions located in the normally not viewed portion of an attachment.
The method in 18 where said attachment is further converted to text, thus removing an entry point for virus.
The method in 18 where said attachments are in a segregated area within computer memory and where user must physically open attachment files because automatic opening has been prevented by said segregated area within computer memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Backward citations are indexed for grants only.
Office automation; Time management: computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
Monitoring or handling of messages: using filtering or selective blocking
Information and communication technology [ict] specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial
Digital communication
Term end not estimated
There is a major problem in hacking, the unauthorized entry to a computer system, and in contamination of computer systems. Companies and individuals with frequent direct connections through the web to their computers are constantly at risk of an attachment or a hacker attack, either of which may result in the loss of important personal, financial or confidential information. Moles, a newer spam variety result in the user PC sending information back to the spammer telling about the user or the user system. They can reek havoc upon PC systems. In general, invasion problems are a continuing and difficult problem with web commerce and web connectivity.
There have been a variety of solutions to the invasion problems. All of the present methods are based upon negative rejection principles or operating methods. One, and the most common at present is to connect the computer only when needed and to carefully control access by others. In many cases an isolated computer separated from main systems is used to shelter the main system from interference and problems. Unfortunately, this answer defeats the ease of E-Mail communication and slows access to information. With immediate information access expected and many web information exchanges in real time, rather than as pass along information, the isolation and filtering of data is not successful in most applications. Images are especially vulnerable since they have code that in essence says “go get this picture from the hackers (spammers) computer”. This off site referencing can also be used to activate a virus program. There is a real danger that an accepted code (HTML or image code) will have an undetectable attachment or addition that is harmful. Since most E-Mail is sent using HTML code, merely viewing an E-Mail can activate a program that contains a virus or that disrupts a user PC.
Another approach is to set up a wall, generally called a firewall that separates a part of a computer drive or has a dedicated computer drive responding to the outside web connections but providing a high degree of isolation of the signals from contact with the remainder of the computer system or network. This type of isolation is however not perfect and it attracts the attention of hacking with the goal of breaking the isolation barrier. Such an isolation system further will not always prevent an attachment from an otherwise acceptable message or information set from being forwarded through the firewall to the main computer system or network. This type of system has serious problems in speed of access and in failure to provide a cure to the problems of hacking and contamination.
In FIG. 1, a block diagram shows the successive screen methods and illustrates the hierarchy of rejection and acceptance modes.
In FIG. 2, an example of the specific sequence of key number/source tags is shown diagramed.
In FIG. 3, a help system attached to the basic screening system is shown with the real time assistance allowed by clicking onto each screening function.
In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a screening system is established that receives an incoming E-Mail and performs the following functions upon the message.
The screening system first examines the address tag of the sent E-Mail. The address tag is compared to a list that is loaded into the program file containing addresses that are accepted without further screening of source. A positive screen is performed—i.e. if the address tag is listed as acceptable, it is processed as accepted. When accepted the E-Mail file is placed in a first register for further processing.
If the E-Mail address tag is not on the accept list, there is a further processing step consisting of a further screen against a pre-loaded list of non-accept addresses. The E-Mail from these non-accept address tag locations “discarded” immediately. When we discuss discarding in this context, it is a non-accept that prevents the E-Mail acceptance but it is placed into a junk mailbox where it may be screened or disposed of as junk, store (doubtful) or forward as the user determines then after all dispositions are complete the user may delete files of the unaccepted E-Mail at his option. Normally all E-Mails with no address tag would also be placed into this reject category since it is common for spam to be without an address. The user may, however, allow nonotag mail to be placed in the register noted below as residual.