Stopping Malware Before It Hits

SpudGunMan writes "John Lockwood, Ph.D, an assistant professor of computer science at Washington University, and the graduate students that work in his research laboratory, have developed a hardware platform called the Field-programmable Port Extender (FPX) that scans for malware transmitted over a network and filters out unwanted data."

Comments

hah

[mxn]

Belkin beat him to it.. Though, their system goes one step further: rather than filter out unwanted data it turns it into precious precious ad revenue.

So windows....

[utlemming]

Did it verify that Windows is mal-ware?
What about Windows-update?

These are hard questions that we need to know...

How it works

[Anonymous Coward]

For non geeky types, here is how it works.

As part of the TCP/IP connection specification, Each Ethernet Cable has 65,536 exactly small fibers. To send data, a prgoram must tell the network card to "pluck" the fibers 5000 tines a second to send data.

Now Viruses pluck usually unused fibers to confuse the Network card. Once it is confused the virus can Execute it self by running on the firmware of the Ether, which sends rouge Assebly instructions to the GBX register on the CPU which is an illegal instruction. This disables the ECIR and RIF jumpers on the motherboard. Then it can pluck all the wires at the same time, which of course causes a D-DOS attack.

Now you know how it works, get a Firewall to stop the wrong fiber being plucked.

An easier way to stop Windows malware:

[Anonymous Coward]

Here.

Re:An easier way to stop Windows malware:

[placeclicker]

Or one that doesn't require a new computer..

Cheaper solution

[S.I.O.]

> prevent malware from reaching the network
As an alternative solution, you can hire a big, fat, bald guy, whose job is to push the Microsoft and Oracle salesmen down the stairs.

Fantastic!

[B2K3]

I hate programs that get stuck in infinite loops. Now, with this software, I'll just scan for these pieces of malware, and stop them from being sent over the network.

Finally, a solution to my Halting Problem!

Dear Apple,

[Anonymous Coward]

Dear Apple,
I am a homosexual. I bought an Apple computer because of its well earned reputation for being "the" gay computer. Since I have become an Apple owner, I have been exposed to a whole new world of gay friends. It is really a pleasure to meet and compute with other homos such as myself. I plan on using my new Apple computer as a way to entice and recruit young schoolboys into the homosexual lifestyle; it would be so helpful if you could produce more software which would appeal to young boys. Thanks in advance.

with much gayness,

Father Randy "Pudge" O'Day, S.J.

Software versus hardware?

[lewko]

Let me see if I have this straight: The system is claimed to be much faster than comparable technology because it is running on "hardware", not software.

Riiiiight.... So what exactly is controlling the hardware? Lemme guess... A few lines of code, some syntax, some commands... You know... Software.

"Maybe if we put our system in a shiny box with cool LEDs instead of a rackable server like everyone else, we can call it breakthrough technology!"

Step 1: Reinvent the wheel.
Step 2: Patent it.......
etc.

Cowboy Neal Uses Windows 98

[newshooze]

I wonder if it can filter dupes and leftist banter from /. postings.

This actually works...

[morzel]

"Maybe if we put our system in a shiny box with cool LEDs instead of a rackable server like everyone else, we can call it breakthrough technology!"

This reminds me of an anecdote I heard from one the distributors of Watchguard firewalls over here:
one of the major selling points of watchguard products when they were initially introduced was the fact that the appliance was bright red, and had a lot of blinky leds on the front plate :). Being a much 'sexier' package, the watchguard products were chosen instead of e.g. cisco PIX firewalls when the technical merits did not point to a clear winner.