Abstract: A system and method for providing a framework for network appliance management in a distributed computing environment is disclosed. A status report periodically received from each of a plurality of network appliances is recorded. Each status report contains health and status information and application-specific data for each network appliance. Configuration settings for each network appliance progressively assembled concurrent to providing installable components are maintained. A catalog listing currently installable components for each network appliance based on the configuration settings is dynamically provided.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for network-based scanning for potentially malicious content. Incoming and/or outgoing network communications traveling over a network are monitored, preferably at a gateway. Potentially malicious content in the network communications is identified. The identified potentially malicious content of the network communications is quarantined to help prevent damage that could be caused if the content is indeed malicious. In one embodiment, a pattern for testing the potentially malicious content network communications for malicious code can be executed. The network communications are conditionally delivered over the network based on the testing. In other embodiments, the network communications are delivered over the network after a predetermined delay and/or upon receiving a user request to release the suspect content from quarantine.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed function discovery with third party responses in a peer-to-peer network to facilitate efficient use of bandwidth and resources are disclosed. The method for secure automatic selection of a designated service provider in a peer-to-peer network generally comprises broadcasting a digitally signed election initiating packet containing a value for at least one criteria by a sending node, awaiting response time-out period expiry or receipt of a response election packet, broadcasting a digitally signed election result packet indicating the sending node is the designated service provider if response time-out period expiry occurs prior to receipt of a response election packet, and awaiting for, verifying, and storing election result in an election result broadcast if receipt of a response election packet occurs prior to expiry of response time-out period.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying that a peer is a trusted peer using signed receipts in a peer-to-peer network environment are disclosed. The method generally comprises broadcasting a request over the network by a requesting peer for a task with respect to a remote non-local backend server, receiving a response to the request from the service-providing server, verifying a digital certificate of the response issued by the remote non-local backend server indicating that the responding service-providing server is trusted for the requested task, and forwarding the task to a local alias URL of the responding peer for performance of the task by the responding server if the verifying is successful. The digital certificate may be a 1024-bit VeriSign digital certificate. The verifying ensures that the local alias URL is approved by the non-local backend server for the requested task.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for scanning application program data utilizing a mobile communication device. Included is an application program installed on a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless network. Such application program is adapted for performing tasks utilizing the mobile communication device. Associated therewith is a scanning subsystem in communication with the application program for scanning application data relating to the tasks performed by the application program. In use, the application program communicates information relating to the application data to the scanning subsystem to facilitate the scanning by the scanning subsystem.

Abstract: A system and method for distributed function discovery with third party responses in a peer-to-peer network to facilitate efficient use of bandwidth and resources are disclosed. The method for facilitating distributed function discovery in a peer-to-peer network generally comprises receiving a broadcast request for a service function from a peer client at a peer server, locating information regarding a location remote to the peer server having the requested service function using a stored list of service functions locally stored at the peer server, and responding to the peer client with a response containing the location remote to the peer server if information on the requested service function is located.

Abstract: A system and a method for dynamically detecting computer viruses through associative behavioral analysis of runtime state are described. A group of monitored events is defined. Each monitored event includes a set of one or more actions defined within an object. Each action is performed by one or more applications executing within a defined computing environment. The runtime state within the defined computing environment is continuously monitored for an occurrence of any one of the monitored events in the group. The sequence of the execution of the monitored events is tracked for each of the applications. Each occurrence of a specific event sequence characteristic of computer virus behavior and the application that performed the specific event sequence, are identified. A histogram describing the specific event sequence occurrence for each of the applications is created. Repetitions of the histogram associated with at least one object are identified.

Abstract: A platform-independent system and associated method are provided for use with a mobile communication device. Included is a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless network. Such mobile communication device includes an operating system installed thereon. Associated therewith is a platform-independent scanning subsystem in communication with the operating system of the mobile communication device for scanning purposes. Further provided is a platform-independent application program interface for interfacing the operating system and the scanning subsystem. The platform-independent application program interface includes an abstract library for porting the platform-independent scanning subsystem to the mobile communication device and associated operating system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing Web-based remote security application client administration in a distributed computing environment is described. A self-extracting configuration file is stored. The self-extracting configuration file contains an executable configuration file that is self-extractable on a target client into an administered security application. An executable control is embedded within an active administration Web page. The executable control is triggered upon each request for the active Web page and causes dynamic Web content to be generated therefrom. A Web portal including the active administration Web page is exported to a browser application independent of a specific operating environment. The executable control is interpreted to facilitate copying of the self-extracting configuration file to the target client.

Abstract: A system for providing application services in a computing environment having both user-mode processes and privileged-mode processes. A user-mode component is provided with an interface configured to access an exposed privileged-mode interface. A configuration component specifies a list of installable code components that are authorized for installation, wherein privileged-mode functions will only be executed in response to accesses by the user-mode code component when the installable code component is represented on the list.

Abstract: A system for providing application services in a computing environment having both user-mode processes and privileged-mode processes. An agent executes in privileged mode and exposes an interface to user-mode processes. A user-mode component is provided with an interface configured to access the agent's exposed interface. A configuration component specifies a list of installable code components that are authorized for installation, wherein the agent will only execute privilege mode functions in response to accesses by the user-mode code component when the installable code component is represented on the list.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for enforcing an anti-virus policy. Initially, a status command is received at a client computer from a network device utilizing a network. In response to the status command, a status is sent to the network device utilizing the network. Such status relates to anti-virus scanning software on the client computer. Next, a response is initiated at the client computer utilizing the network based on the status.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for accessing security or content analysis functionality utilizing a mobile communication device. Included is an operating system installed on a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless network. Further provided is an application program installed on the mobile communication device and executed utilizing the operating system for performing tasks. A scanning subsystem remains in communication with the application program via an application program interface. Such scanning subsystem is adapted for accessing security or content analysis functionality in conjunction with the tasks performed by the application program.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for efficiently updating a scanning subsystem of a mobile communication device. Initially received is a first portion of an update adapted for updating a scanning subsystem of a mobile communication device. Further, more portions of the update are received in addition to the receipt of the first portion of the update. The update is then installed with the scanning subsystem.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for scanning application program data utilizing a mobile communication device. Included is an application program installed on a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless network. Such application program is adapted for performing tasks utilizing the mobile communication device. Associated therewith is a scanning subsystem in communication with the application program for scanning application data relating to the tasks performed by the application program. In use, the application program communicates information relating to the application data to the scanning subsystem to facilitate the scanning by the scanning subsystem.

Abstract: A platform-independent system and associated method are provided for use with a mobile communication device. Included is a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless network. Such mobile communication device includes an operating system installed thereon. Associated therewith is a platform-independent scanning subsystem in communication with the operating system of the mobile communication device for scanning purposes. Further provided is a platform-independent application program interface for interfacing the operating system and the scanning subsystem. The platform-independent application program interface includes an abstract library for porting the platform-independent scanning subsystem to the mobile communication device and associated operating system.

Abstract: A secure method and system for administering to software on a plurality of client computers is disclosed. One or more pre-set policies for one or more client computers may be stored on and transmitted in a secure manner from a central server that is under the control of a system administrator to the client computers over a public network or e-mail systems. The central server is preferably an HTTP server containing software for creating packages of information and for protecting the integrity of the packages during transmission over a virtual secured pipe. The packages may contain policy for the various clients that are to be maintained. The policy may comprise software configurations for software that resides on the clients, software to be installed on one or more clients, or any other information and data that is needed to maintain and manage the clients.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for programmable scanning for malicious content on a wireless client device. Initially, an anti-virus program having an instruction set is assembled in a programmable computing language. The anti-virus program is implemented in a wireless client device. A scan for malicious code is performed on the wireless client device utilizing the anti-virus program. A method for programmable scanning for malicious content on a thin client device is also provided. An anti-virus engine is assembled in a programmable computing language. The anti-virus engine is installed on a thin client device. A signature file is also assembled in a programmable computing language, the signature file containing an identifier uniquely identifying a computer virus and a virus detection section comprising object code providing operations to detect the identified computer virus on the thin client device. The signature file is also installed on the thin client device.

Abstract: A method of providing a set of desired application functions to a plurality of network-coupled computing appliances. A set of code resident on a network-connected application management server is identified that when executed in a network appliance provide the desired application functions. A first application management agent in a first of the network-coupled computing appliances and a second application management agent in a second of the network-coupled computing appliances are executed. The first application management agent repetitively checks for updates of the identified code. Updates of the identified code are downloaded from the application management server into the first network-coupled computing appliance as the updates become available. Updates of the identified code are downloaded from the first network-coupled computing device into the second network-coupled computing appliance.

Abstract: A method and system for updating anti-intrusion software is provided. In a preferred embodiment, a computer program product updates anti-intrusion software on a computer network which has an anti-intrusion monitor server. The anti-intrusion monitor server recognizes attacks on the computer network in accordance with attack pattern information contained in the anti-intrusion software. The computer program product includes computer code that installs modified attack pattern information onto a central anti-intrusion server, and computer code that transfers the modified attack pattern information from the central anti-intrusion server to the anti-intrusion monitor server using push technology. The result is that newly discovered attack patterns are capable of being rapidly communicated from the central anti-intrusion server to the computer network.