System for securing the flow of and selectively modifying packets in a computer network
AssigneeCheck Point Software Technologies Ltd.
InventorsGil Shwed, Shlomo Kramer, Nir Zuk, Gil Dogon, Ehud Ben-Reuven
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AssigneeCheck Point Software Technologies Ltd.
InventorsGil Shwed, Shlomo Kramer, Nir Zuk, Gil Dogon, Ehud Ben-Reuven
Estimating the term…
The present invention discloses a novel system for controlling the inbound and outbound data packet flow in a computer network. By controlling the packet flow in a computer network, private networks can be secured from outside attacks in addition to controlling the flow of packets from within the private network to the outside world. A user generates a rule base which is then converted into a set of filter language instruction. Each rule in the rule base includes a source, destination, service, whether to accept or reject the packet and whether to log the event. The set of filter language instructions are installed and execute on inspection engines which are placed on computers acting as firewalls. The firewalls are positioned in the computer network such that all traffic to and from the network to be protected is forced to pass through the firewall. Thus, packets are filtered as they flow into and out of the network in accordance with the rules comprising the rule base. The inspection engine acts as a virtual packet filtering machine which determines on a packet by packet basis whether to reject or accept a packet. If a packet is rejected, it is dropped. If it is accepted, the packet may then be modified. Modification may include encryption, decryption, signature generation, signature verification or address translation. All modifications are performed in accordance with the contents of the rule base. The present invention provides additional security to a computer network by encrypting communications between two firewalls between a client and a firewall. This permits the use of insecure public networks in constructing a WAN that includes both private and public network segments, thus forming a virtual private network.
A method of inspecting and selectively modifying inbound and outbound data packets in a computer network, the inspection and selective modification of said data packets occurring in accordance with a security rule, the method comprising the steps of:
In a security system for inspecting and selectively modifying inbound and outbound data packets in a computer network, said security system inspecting and selectively modifying said data packets in said computer network in accordance with a security rule, where each aspect of said computer network inspected by said security rule has been previously defined, said security rule being previously defined in terms of said aspects and converted into packet filter language instructions, a method for operating said security system comprising the steps of:
In a security system for inspecting and selectively modifying inbound and outbound data packets in a computer network, said security system inspecting and selectively modifying said data packets in said computer network in accordance with a security rule, where each aspect of said computer network inspected by said security rule has been previously defined, said security rule being previously defined in terms of said aspects and converted into packet filter language instructions, a method for operating said security system comprising the steps of:
In a security system for inspecting and selectively modifying inbound and outbound data packets in a computer network, said security system inspecting and selectively modifying said data packets passing through said computer network in accordance with a security rule, where each aspect of said computer network controlled by said security rule has been previously defined, said security rule being previously defined in terms of said aspects and converted into packet filter language instructions, said security system comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.