IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,210,733
Granted Patent B2
US 12,210,733 · App. 18/383,694 · Granted Jan 28, 2025

Systems and methods for proactive analysis of artifacts associated with information resources

Inventors: Lee Haworth (London, GB); Simon Paul Tyler (Wiltshire, GB); Jackie Anne Maylor (Wiltshire, GB); Nathaniel S. Borenstein (Greenbush, MI)
Assignee: Mimecast Services Ltd.
G06F3/0482G06F3/04817G06F21/44G06F21/56
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,210,733
App. No.
18/383,694
Granted
Jan 28, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention is related to security systems and methods for proactively informing a user about an artifact associated with a clickable object on a user interface with which the user is interacting, where such information is provided to the user prior to selection of the clickable object. The information includes a safety assessment of the clickable object, details about the underlying artifact, such as the contents of an archive file, and general information helpful in assisting the user with making a decision as to whether to select the clickable object.

Claims (55)

1. A method for proactively providing a user with information associated with an information resource in advance of user selection and viewing of the information resource, the method comprising:

monitoring user interaction with a user interface of a computing device displaying content;

detecting user input comprising positioning of a selection input proximate to a visual representation of an information resource for a predetermined amount of time, wherein the visual representation of the information resource is a selectable object associated with an archive file;

analyzing contents of the archive file; and

outputting to the user, via the user interface, information about the information resource based on the analysis in advance of user selection of the visual representation of the information resource.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the information comprises displaying, on the user interface, a pop-up icon providing information associated with the information resource.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information associated with the information resource comprises at least one of:

an indication whether the archive file is safe or unsafe;

a listing of contents of the archive file;

an indication whether the archive file contains a virus or other malware;

an indication whether a claimed provenance or authorship of the archive file appears to be valid;

an indication whether the archive file is an executable program for a platform other than a platform associated with the computing device and in use;

an indication whether the archive file comprises adult-oriented material;

an indication whether the archive file comprises material distributed without legal permission;

an indication whether the archive file comprises a copyright violation;

an indication whether the archive file comprises sensitive information that the user should not view;

an indication whether the archive file comprises information forbidden by a policy;

one or more aspects of a reputation of the archive file;

a characterization of the contents of the archive file; or

a recommended action that the user take.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visual representation of the information resource is a selectable object comprising a link, an icon, an attachment, an email address, or other visual representation of an information resource.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the archive file is a ZIP file and wherein the information about the information resource includes a listing of the contents of the ZIP file.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user input is a hover event.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the selection input comprises a cursor or pointer.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the user input comprises user input from a mouse.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface is a touchscreen interface and wherein the user input is a touchscreen input.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the selection input comprises input from a finger or stylus interacting with the touchscreen interface.

11. A system for proactively providing a user with information associated with an information resource in advance of user selection and viewing of the information resource, the system comprising:

at least one processor coupled to at least one memory containing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform processes comprising:

monitoring user interaction with a user interface of a computing device displaying content;

detecting user input comprising positioning of a selection input proximate to a visual representation of an information resource for a predetermined amount of time, wherein the visual representation of the information resource is a selectable object associated with an archive file;

analyzing contents of the archive file; and

outputting to the user, via the user interface, information about the information resource based on the analysis in advance of user selection of the visual representation of the information resource.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein outputting the information comprises displaying, on the user interface, a pop-up icon providing information associated with the information resource.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the information associated with the information resource comprises at least one of:

an indication whether the archive file is safe or unsafe;

a listing of contents of the archive file;

an indication whether the archive file contains a virus or other malware;

an indication whether a claimed provenance or authorship of the archive file appears to be valid;

an indication whether the archive file is an executable program for a platform other than a platform associated with the computing device and in use;

an indication whether the archive file comprises adult-oriented material;

an indication whether the archive file comprises material distributed without legal permission;

an indication whether the archive file comprises a copyright violation;

an indication whether the archive file comprises sensitive information that the user should not view;

an indication whether the archive file comprises information forbidden by a policy;

one or more aspects of a reputation of the archive file;

a characterization of the contents of the archive file; or

a recommended action that the user take.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the visual representation of the information resource is a selectable object comprising a link, an icon, an attachment, an email address, or other visual representation of an information resource.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the archive file is a ZIP file and wherein the information about the information resource includes a listing of the contents of the ZIP file.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the user input is a hover event.

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the selection input comprises a cursor or pointer.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the user input comprises user input from a mouse.

19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the user interface is a touchscreen interface and wherein the user input is a touchscreen input.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the selection input comprises input from a finger or stylus interacting with the touchscreen interface.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2026
From: HAWORTH, LEE; TAYLOR, SIMON PAUL; MAYLOR, JACKIE ANNE; BORENSTEIN, NATHANIEL S.
To: MIMECAST SERVICES LTD.
Reel/Frame 075435/0348 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 18102292 · Jan 27, 2023
Continuation 17465610 · Sep 2, 2021
Continuation 16239508 · Jan 3, 2019
Provisional Application 62613189 · Jan 3, 2018
Related Publication 20240061550A1 · Feb 22, 2024
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