Abstract: A method of detecting the onset of a ransomware attack is presented. In an example embodiment, file backup metadata for each of a plurality of computing devices is accessed and analyzed to detect anomalous file backup activity of individual ones of the computing devices. A determination is made as to whether the detected anomalous file backup activity of at least some of the computing devices is correlated in time. File description metadata for each of the computing devices is also accessed and analyzed to identify files in the computing devices that are anomalous to other files in the computing devices. A determination whether a ransomware attack has begun is based on a determination that the detected anomalous file backup activity of at least some of the computing devices is correlated in time, as well as on the identified anomalous files.

Abstract: In connection with a data distribution architecture, client-side “deduplication” techniques may be utilized for data transfers occurring among various file system nodes. In some examples, these deduplication techniques involve fingerprinting file system elements that are being shared and transferred, and dividing each file into separate units referred to as “blocks” or “chunks.” These separate units may be used for independently rebuilding a file from local and remote collections, storage locations, or sources. The deduplication techniques may be applied to data transfers to prevent unnecessary data transfers, and to reduce the amount of bandwidth, processing power, and memory used to synchronize and transfer data among the file system nodes. The described deduplication concepts may also be applied for purposes of efficient file replication, data transfers, and file system events occurring within and among networks and file system nodes.

Abstract: A method of detecting the onset of a ransomware attack is presented. In an example embodiment, file backup metadata for each of a plurality of computing devices is accessed and analyzed to detect anomalous file backup activity of individual ones of the computing devices. A determination is made as to whether the detected anomalous file backup activity of at least some of the computing devices is correlated in time. File description metadata for each of the computing devices is also accessed and analyzed to identify files in the computing devices that are anomalous to other files in the computing devices. A determination whether a ransomware attack has begun is based on a determination that the detected anomalous file backup activity of at least some of the computing devices is correlated in time, as well as on the identified anomalous files.

Abstract: In connection with a data distribution architecture, client-side “deduplication” techniques may be utilized for data transfers occurring among various file system nodes. In some examples, these deduplication techniques involve fingerprinting file system elements that are being shared and transferred, and dividing each file into separate units referred to as “blocks” or “chunks.” These separate units may be used for independently rebuilding a file from local and remote collections, storage locations, or sources. The deduplication techniques may be applied to data transfers to prevent unnecessary data transfers, and to reduce the amount of bandwidth, processing power, and memory used to synchronize and transfer data among the file system nodes. The described deduplication concepts may also be applied for purposes of efficient file replication, data transfers, and file system events occurring within and among networks and file system nodes.