Patents Assigned to Websense, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140115699
    Abstract: A system and computer based method are provided for identifying active content in websites on a network. One embodiment includes a computer based method of classifying web content. The method receives content of a web page, and determines a first property associated with the content, the first property including static content. The method executes active content associated with the webpage, and determines a second property associated with the content based at least in part on the executing, the second property including the active content. The method also evaluates a logical expression relating the first property and the second property, and associates the web page with a category based on a result of the evaluation. The evaluation of the logical expression at least in part evaluates whether a constant value matches at least a portion of the content of the web page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor L. Baddour, Stephan Chenette, Dan Hubbard, Nicholas J. Verenini, Ali A. Mesdaq
  • Patent number: 8701194
    Abstract: A system and method for updating a system that controls files executed on a workstation. The workstation includes a workstation management module configured to detect the launch of an application. A workstation application server receives data associated with the application from the workstation. This data can include a hash value. The application server module can determine one or more categories to associate with the application by referencing an application inventory database or requesting the category from an application database factory. The application database factory can receive applications from multiple application server modules. The application database factory determines whether the application was previously categorized by the application database factory and provides the category to the application server module. Once the application server module has the category, it forwards a hash/policy table to the workstation management module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold M. Kester, Ronald B Hegli, John Ross Dimm, Mark Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 8689325
    Abstract: A system for identifying and notifying computers of malicious software programs over an Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold M. Kester, Ronald B. Hegli, John Ross Dimm, Mark Richard Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140068708
    Abstract: A system and method for updating a system that controls files executed on a workstation. The workstation includes a workstation management module configured to detect the launch of an application. A workstation application server receives data associated with the application from the workstation. This data can include a hash value. The application server module can determine one or more categories to associate with the application by referencing an application inventory database or requesting the category from an application database factory. The application database factory can receive applications from multiple application server modules. The application database factory determines whether the application was previously categorized by the application database factory and provides the category to the application server module. Once the application server module has the category, it forwards a hash/policy table to the workstation management module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold M. Kester, Ronald B. Hegli, John Ross Dimm, Mark Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 8645340
    Abstract: A system and method for updating, monitoring, and controlling applications on a workstation. The workstation includes a workstation management module configured to detect the launch or request to access a network by an application. A workstation application server receives data associated with the application from the workstation. The application server module can determine one or more policies or categories to associate with the application by referencing an application inventory database. Once the application server module has the category or policy, it forwards a hash/policy table to the workstation management module. Upon receipt of the hash/policy table, the workstation management module applies the policy that is associated with the application to control network access by the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: John Ross Dimm, Mark Richard Anderson, Joseph Papa, Nicole Kester Jones
  • Patent number: 8615800
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying active content in websites on a network. One embodiment includes a method of classifying web content. In one embodiment, the classifications are indicative of active and/or malicious content. The method includes identifying properties associated with the web page based at least partly on the content of the web page and storing said properties in a database of web page properties. The method further includes comparing at least one definition to properties stored in the database of web page properties and identifying the web page with at least one definition based on comparing said definition with said stored properties. The method further includes identifying the web page with at least one category associated with the at least one definition, wherein said category is indicative of active content associated with the web page. Other embodiments include systems configured to perform such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor L. Baddour, Stephan Chenette, Dan Hubbard, Nicholas J. Verenini, Ali A. Mesdaq
  • Publication number: 20130254839
    Abstract: A system and method that trusts software executables existent on a machine prior to activation for different types of accesses e.g. execution, network, and registry. The system detects new executables added to the machine as well as previously existent executables that have been modified, moved, renamed or deleted. In certain embodiments, the system will tag the file with a flag as modified or newly added. Once tagged, the system intercepts particular types of file accesses for execution, network or registry. The system determines if the file performing the access is flagged and may apply one or more policies based on the requested access. In certain embodiments, the system intercepts I/O operations by file systems or file system volumes and flags metadata associated with the file. For example, the NT File System and its extended attributes and alternate streams may be utilized to implement the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Winping Lo, Joseph Papa
  • Patent number: 8533349
    Abstract: A method and system for providing flexible access to Internet sites is described. The system includes a database of Internet sites that have been categorized so that the system determines the category of information that a user is accessing on the Internet. The system is also programmed so users are only allowed to access sites within a particular category a limited number of times. Moreover, users can requested a postponed access, wherein the site they are requesting is stored to a server, and available to the user at a later time. In addition, if a user chooses to access a site that is within certain predefined categories, they are presented with the option of retrieving the page, but notified that their access will be logged to a file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Hegli, John Carrington, David Oei
  • Publication number: 20130227684
    Abstract: Methods and systems reduce exposure to a dictionary attack while verifying whether data transmitted over a computer network is a password. In one aspect, a method includes performing a search of network traffic based, at least in part, on a weak validation using a Bloom filter based on an organizational password file, determining the existence of a password in the network traffic based only on the weak validation, and determining whether to block, alert, or quarantine the network traffic based at least in part on the existence of the password in the network traffic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: Websense, Inc.
    Inventor: Websense, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8453243
    Abstract: A system and method that trusts software executables existent on a machine prior to activation for different types of accesses e.g. execution, network, and registry. The system detects new executables added to the machine as well as previously existent executables that have been modified, moved, renamed or deleted. In certain embodiments, the system will tag the file with a flag as modified or newly added. Once tagged, the system intercepts particular types of file accesses for execution, network or registry. The system determines if the file performing the access is flagged and may apply one or more policies based on the requested access. In certain embodiments, the system intercepts I/O operations by file systems or file system volumes and flags metadata associated with the file. For example, the NT File System and its extended attributes and alternate streams may be utilized to implement the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Winping Lo, Joseph Papa
  • Patent number: 8407784
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying infection of unwanted software on an electronic device is disclosed. A software agent configured to generate a bait and is installed on the electronic device. The bait can simulate a situation in which the user performs a login session and submits personal information or it may just contain artificial sensitive information. Parameters may be inserted into the bait such as the identity of the electronic device that the bait is installed upon. The output of the electronic device is monitored and analyzed for attempts of transmitting the bait. The output is analyzed by correlating the output with the bait and can be done by comparing information about the bait with the traffic over a computer network in order to decide about the existence and the location of unwanted software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventor: Lidror Troyansky
  • Patent number: 8370948
    Abstract: A system and method for determining an intent of a sender in transmitting electronic information in order to prevent unauthorized dissemination of electronic information is disclosed. The system and method facilitate cost-effective handling of dissemination events and comprise a traffic analyzer configured to analyze descriptors of the electronic information and parameters of the transmission of the electronic information in order to determine the intent of the sender. By determining the intent of the sender, it is possible to effectively quarantine the electronic information before it is disseminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventor: Lidror Troyansky
  • Publication number: 20120222116
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting a heap corruption exploit of a web browser is described. The method comprises installing or injecting a detection module into the web browser. Next, the detection module patches or hooks all calls to the detection module in order to identify calls indicating a heap corruption exploit. The identified calls are then analyzed to determine whether a heap corruption exploit is occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: Websense, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephan Chenette
  • Publication number: 20120191676
    Abstract: A system and method for updating, monitoring, and controlling applications on a workstation. The workstation includes a workstation management module configured to detect the launch or request to access a network by an application. A workstation application server receives data associated with the application from the workstation. The application server module can determine one or more policies or categories to associate with the application by referencing an application inventory database. Once the application server module has the category or policy, it forwards a hash/policy table to the workstation management module. Upon receipt of the hash/policy table, the workstation management module applies the policy that is associated with the application to control network access by the application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold M. Kester, Nicole Kester Jones, John Ross Dimm, Mark Richard Anderson, Joseph Papa
  • Patent number: 8150817
    Abstract: A system and method for updating, monitoring, and controlling applications on a workstation. The workstation includes a workstation management module configured to detect the launch or request to access a network by an application. A workstation application server receives data associated with the application from the workstation. The application server module can determine one or more policies or categories to associate with the application by referencing an application inventory database. Once the application server module has the category or policy, it forwards a hash/policy table to the workstation management module. Upon receipt of the hash/policy table, the workstation management module applies the policy that is associated with the application to control network access by the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold M. Kester, Nicole Kester Jones, legal representative, John Ross Dimm, Mark Richard Anderson, Joseph Papa
  • Publication number: 20120005212
    Abstract: A system and method for updating a system that controls files executed on a workstation. The workstation includes a workstation management module configured to detect the launch of an application. A workstation application server receives data associated with the application from the workstation. This data can include a hash value. The application server module can determine one or more categories to associate with the application by referencing an application inventory database or requesting the category from an application database factory. The application database factory can receive applications from multiple application server modules. The application database factory determines whether the application was previously categorized by the application database factory and provides the category to the application server module. Once the application server module has the category, it forwards a hash/policy table to the workstation management module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold M. Kester, Ronald B. Hegli, John Ross Dimm, Mark Richard Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110307513
    Abstract: A system and method for updating a filtering system which controls access to a website/page between a local area network (LAN) and an Internet. The LAN includes an Internet gateway system coupled to a workstation and configured to receive a URL request. The system controls access to the website/page associated with the URL based on one or more categories that are associated with the URL. The Internet gateway system can determine the category that is associated with the URL by referencing a master database or requesting the category from a database factory. The database factory can receive URLs from multiple Internet gateway systems. The database factory determines whether the identifier was previously categorized by the database factory and provides the category to the Internet gateway system. Once the Internet gateway system has the category, it applies rules associated with the category and user to filter access to the requested website/page.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Kester, Dan Ruskin, Chris Lee, Mark Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110252478
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying inappropriate content in websites on a network. Unrecognized uniform resource locators (URLs) or other web content are accessed by workstations and are identified as possibly having malicious content. The URLs or web content may be preprocessed within a gateway server module or some other software module to collect additional information related to the URLs. The URLs may be scanned for known attack signatures, and if any are found, they may be tagged as candidate URLs in need of further analysis by a classification module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: WEBSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Dan Hubbard, Nicholas Joseph Verenini, Victor Louie Baddour
  • Patent number: 8020209
    Abstract: A system and method for updating a system that controls files executed on a workstation. The workstation includes a workstation management module configured to detect the launch of an application. A workstation application server receives data associated with the application from the workstation. This data can include a hash value. The application server module can determine one or more categories to associate with the application by referencing an application inventory database or requesting the category from an application database factory. The application database factory can receive applications from multiple application server modules. The application database factory determines whether the application was previously categorized by the application database factory and provides the category to the application server module. Once the application server module has the category, it forwards a hash/policy table to the workstation management module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold M. Kester, Ronald B. Hegli, John Ross Dimm, Mark Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 8020206
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for identifying inappropriate content in websites on a network. Unrecognized uniform resource locators (URLs) or other web content are accessed by workstations and are identified as possibly having malicious content. The URLs or web content may be preprocessed within a gateway server module or some other software module to collect additional information related to the URLs. The URLs may be scanned for known attack signatures, and if any are found, they may be tagged as candidate URLs in need of further analysis by a classification module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Websense, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Hubbard, Nicholas Joseph Verenini, Victor Louie Baddour