Resisting the spread of unwanted code and data

A semiconductor device comprising:

• a memory for storing computer instructions executable by a computer to perform:
• receiving an incoming electronic file containing content data encoded and arranged in accordance with a predetermined file type;
• determining a purported predetermined file type of the incoming electronic file based upon the arranged and encoded content data and an associated set of rules specifying allowable content data for the purported predetermined file type;
• determining at least an allowable portion of the content data that conforms with the set of rules corresponding to the determined purported predetermined file type;
• extracting, from the incoming electronic file, the at least an allowable portion of content data;
• creating a substitute electronic file of the purported predetermined file type, said substitute electronic file containing the extracted allowable content data;
• forwarding the substitute regenerated electronic file;
• and
• forwarding the incoming electronic file if a portion, part or whole of the content data does not conform, and the intended recipient of the electronic file has not pre-approved the predetermined data format and sender of the electronic file, only when the intended recipient approves the electronic file at the time of receipt.

A device for processing an electronic file to create a substitute electronic file containing only allowable content data comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a computer processor in communication with the memory, the processor executing a program stored on said memory to perform:
• receiving an incoming electronic file, said incoming electronic file containing content data in a predetermined data file type;
• determining a purported predetermined data file type of the incoming electronic file and an associated set of rules specifying allowable content data for the purported predetermined data file type;
• determining at least an allowable portion of the content data that conforms with the set of rules corresponding to the determined purported predetermined file type;
• extracting, from the incoming electronic file, the determined at least one portion of allowable content data;
• creating a substitute electronic file in the purported predetermined data file type, said substitute electronic file containing the extracted allowable content data;
• forwarding the substitute regenerated electronic file;
• and
• forwarding the incoming electronic file if a portion, part or whole of the content data does not conform, and the intended recipient of the electronic file has not preapproved the predetermined data format and sender of the electronic file, only when the intended recipient approves the electronic file at the time of receipt.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a computer program executable by a computer to perform:

• receiving an incoming electronic file containing content data encoded and arranged in accordance with a predetermined file type;
• determining a purported predetermined file type of the incoming electronic file and an associated set of rules specifying allowable content data for the purported predetermined file type;
• determining at least an allowable portion of the content data that conforms with the set of rules corresponding to the determined purported predetermined file type;
• extracting, from the incoming electronic file, the at least an allowable portion of content data;
• creating a substitute electronic file in the purported predetermined file type, said substitute electronic file containing the extracted allowable content data;
• forwarding the substitute regenerated electronic file;
• and
• forwarding the incoming electronic file if a portion, part or whole of the content data does not conform, and the intended recipient of the electronic file has not pre-approved the predetermined data format and sender of the electronic file, only when the intended recipient approves the electronic file at the time of receipt.