Abstract: A computing device capable of instant messaging (IM) contains IM anti-malware software for preventing the transmission of malware-created IMs and opening potentially harmful IMs that it receives. When transmitting an IM, the software checks to ensure that the message being sent was created by the user (a human being) and not by IM malware, such as an IM BOT. This is done by copying details of a message as it is being typed by a user into a database and searching for that data before an IM is transmitted from the device. The software also ensures that when it receives an IM from an outside source, that the message contains a special encrypted signal that was inserted into the message by the source when the source has determined that the message was created by a human being. If the special signal is not found, it is presumed that the message was created by malware and may be discarded.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to an apparatus for blocking or blurring unwanted image features. The apparatus includes at least a memory, a processor, a browsing application, and an image blocking component. The image blocking component is configured to block or blur images with unwanted image features before the images are displayed by the browsing application. Another embodiment relates to a process for blocking or blurring unwanted image features prior to displaying web pages. A web page including an image is received, but it is not displayed the image until after checking the image for unwanted image features. Image features are extracted from the image, and the extracted image features are compared against features in a customized image feature database. The image is displayed if no match is found during said comparison. The image is blocked or blurred if a match is found during said comparison. Other embodiments are also disclosed.