Validating components of a malware scanner
AssigneeNetworks Associates Technology, Inc.
InventorsIgor Garrievich Muttik, Alexander James Hinchliffe, Dirk Kollberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a malware scanner containing an updating program 20, a malware scanner engine 22 and malware definition data 24, the malware scanner engine 22 and the malware definition data 24 cross-check each other for validity. More particularly, each includes its own signature 26, 30 as well as public key information 28, 32 for checking the other. There is no dependence upon the updating software 20 for information required in the validating of the malware scanner engine 22 or malware definition data 24. The malware definition data 24 can include program code operable to utilize the validating data 32 embedded within the malware definition data 24 for checking the signature 26 of the malware scanner engine 22.
Claims43
A computer program product for controlling a computer to validate a plurality of components of a malware scanner, said computer program product comprising:
- validating code operable to validate each component of said plurality of components, another component using signature data associated with said component using validating data associated with another of said components such that said plurality of components validate each other.
A method of validating a plurality of components of a malware scanner, said method comprising the steps of:
- validating each component of said plurality of components, using signature data associated with said component and validating data associated with another of said components such that said plurality of components validate each other.
Apparatus for validating a plurality of components of a malware scanner, said apparatus comprising:
- validating logic operable to validate each component of said plurality of components, using signature data associated with said component and validating data associated with another of said components such that said plurality of components validate each other.
A malware definition data component of a malware scanner, said malware definition data component comprising signature data usable to validate said malware definition data component and validating data usable to validate one or more further components of said malware scanner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.