Abstract: In various embodiments, a natural language (NL) application enables users to more effectively access various data storage systems based on NL requests. As described, the NL application includes functionality for selecting an optimal interpretation algorithm, generating a dashboard, and/or generating an alert based on an NL request. Advantageously, the operations performed by the NL application reduce the amount of time and user effort associated with accessing data storage systems and increase the likelihood of properly addressing NL requests.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a natural language (NL) application enables users to more effectively access various data storage systems based on NL requests. As described, the NL application includes functionality for selecting an optimal interpretation algorithm, generating a dashboard, and/or generating an alert based on an NL request. Advantageously, the operations performed by the NL application reduce the amount of time and user effort associated with accessing data storage systems and increase the likelihood of properly addressing NL requests.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for intercepting and analyzing threads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thread data recorder is configured to instrument one or more existing functions by modifying computer executable instructions in the functions to intercept threads calling the functions. In one possible implementation, the number of existing functions instrumented can be reduced by instrumenting choke point functions. The instrumented functions can also capture data associated with the threads as the threads execute at the function. This data can be saved to memory and compressed into logs. In one aspect, the data can be saved and/or compressed at a time when processor resources are being used at or below a predetermined level. The captured data can be used to analyze a functioning of a computer system in which the threads were produced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for intercepting and analyzing threads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thread data recorder is configured to instrument one or more existing functions by modifying computer executable instructions in the functions to intercept threads calling the functions. In one possible implementation, the number of existing functions instrumented can be reduced by instrumenting choke point functions. The instrumented functions can also capture data associated with the threads as the threads execute at the function. This data can be saved to memory and compressed into logs. In one aspect, the data can be saved and/or compressed at a time when processor resources are being used at or below predetermined level. The captured data can be used to analyze a functioning of a computer system in which the threads were produced.

Abstract: As computer programs grow more complex, extensible, and connected, it becomes increasingly difficult for users to understand what has changed on their machines and what impact those changes have. An embodiment of the invention is described via a software tool, called AskStrider, that answers those questions by correlating volatile process information with persistent-state context information and change history. AskStrider scans a system for active components, matches them against a change log to identify recently updated and hence more interesting state, and searches for context information to help users understand the changes. Several real-world cases are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of using AskStrider to quickly identify the presence of unwanted software, to determine if a software patch is potentially breaking an application, and to detect lingering components left over from an unclean uninstallation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for intercepting and analyzing threads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thread data recorder is configured to instrument one or more existing functions by modifying computer executable instructions in the functions to intercept threads calling the functions. In one possible implementation, the number of existing functions instrumented can be reduced by instrumenting choke point functions. The instrumented functions can also capture data associated with the threads as the threads execute at the function. This data can be saved to memory and compressed into logs. In one aspect, the data can be saved and/or compressed at a time when processor resources are being used at or below a predetermined level. The captured data can be used to analyze a functioning of a computer system in which the threads were produced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing system management which are based on reviewing of the interactions between one or more programs and the persistent state they tend to represent. The system provides for detection of modifications that occur within a system, verifying whether the modifications are approved or not and generating notifications on detecting unknown modifications.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting that a software system has been infected by software that attempts to hide properties related to the software system is provided. A detection system identifies that a suspect operating system has been infected by malware by comparing properties related to the suspect operating system as reported by the suspect operating system to properties as reported by another operating system that is assumed to be clean. The detection system compares the reported properties to the actual properties to identify any significant differences. A significant difference, such as the presence of an actual file not reported by the suspect operating system, may indicate that the suspect storage device is infected.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing the impact on software of an update to a software system is provided. The impact analysis system identifies resources that are affected by an update to the software system and identifies resources that are accessed by various software components during execution of the software components. To analyze the effects of an update, the impact analysis system identifies those accessed resources of the software components that are affected by the update as being impacted resources. The impact analysis system considers those software components that access the impacted resources to be impacted software components. The impact analysis system provides a user interface through which a user can view and analyze the impact of an update.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing system management which are based on reviewing of the interactions between one or more programs and the persistent state they tend to represent. The system provides for detection of modifications that occur within a system, verifying whether the modifications are approved or not and generating notifications on detecting unknown modifications.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for intercepting and analyzing threads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thread data recorder is configured to instrument one or more existing functions by modifying computer executable instructions in the functions to intercept threads calling the functions. In one possible implementation, the number of existing functions instrumented can be reduced by instrumenting choke point functions. The instrumented functions can also capture data associated with the threads as the threads execute at the function. This data can be saved to memory and compressed into logs. In one aspect, the data can be saved and/or compressed at a time when processor resources are being used at or below a predetermined level. The captured data can be used to analyze a functioning of a computer system in which the threads were produced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for intercepting and analyzing threads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thread data recorder is configured to instrument one or more existing functions by modifying computer executable instructions in the functions to intercept threads calling the functions. In one possible implementation, the number of existing functions instrumented can be reduced by instrumenting choke point functions. The instrumented functions can also capture data associated with the threads as the threads execute at the function. This data can be saved to memory and compressed into logs. In one aspect, the data can be saved and/or compressed at a time when processor resources are being used at or below predetermined level. The captured data can be used to analyze a functioning of a computer system in which the threads were produced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for intercepting and analyzing threads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thread data recorder is configured to instrument one or more existing functions by modifying computer executable instructions in the functions to intercept threads calling the functions. In one possible implementation, the number of existing functions instrumented can be reduced by instrumenting choke point functions. The instrumented functions can also capture data associated with the threads as the threads execute at the function. This data can be saved to memory and compressed into logs. In one aspect, the data can be saved and/or compressed at a time when processor resources are being used at or below a predetermined level. The captured data can be used to analyze a functioning of a computer system in which the threads were produced.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing the impact on software of an update to a software system is provided. The impact analysis system identifies resources that are affected by an update to the software system and identifies resources that are accessed by various software components during execution of the software components. To analyze the effects of an update, the impact analysis system identifies those accessed resources of the software components that are affected by the update as being impacted resources. The impact analysis system considers those software components that access the impacted resources to be impacted software components. The impact analysis system provides a user interface through which a user can view and analyze the impact of an update.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting that a software system has been infected by software that attempts to hide properties related to the software system is provided. A detection system identifies that a suspect operating system has been infected by malware by comparing properties related to the suspect operating system as reported by the suspect operating system to properties as reported by another operating system that is assumed to be clean. The detection system compares the reported properties to the actual properties to identify any significant differences. A significant difference, such as the presence of an actual file not reported by the suspect operating system, may indicate that the suspect storage device is infected.

Abstract: A monitoring service is provided that detects spyware or other unwanted software at the time it is installed and/or allows for the spyware's removal. The service monitors “Auto-Start Extensibility Points” (“ASEPs”) to detect spyware installations. ASEPs refer to the configuration points that can be “hooked” to allow programs to be auto-started without explicit user invocation. Such a service is particularly effective because an overwhelming majority of spyware programs infect systems in such a way that they are automatically started upon reboot and the launch of many commonly used applications. The monitoring service can thus lead to the subsequent complete removal of the spyware installation, and does not require a frequent signature-based cleaning. Spyware that is bundled with other software such as freeware or shareware can also be removed.

Abstract: As computer programs grow more complex, extensible, and connected, it becomes increasingly difficult for users to understand what has changed on their machines and what impact those changes have. An embodiment of the invention is described via a software tool, called AskStrider, that answers those questions by correlating volatile process information with persistent-state context information and change history. AskStrider scans a system for active components, matches them against a change log to identify recently updated and hence more interesting state, and searches for context information to help users understand the changes. Several real-world cases are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of using AskStrider to quickly identify the presence of unwanted software, to determine if a software patch is potentially breaking an application, and to detect lingering components left over from an unclean uninstallation.