Real-Time Suspicious File Scanner - Technical & Engineering Guide
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This guide explains the development and implementation of a Real-Time Suspicious File Scanner. The system aims to detect and isolate malicious files in real-time to enhance system security.
1.2 Scope
This project is intended for security teams, IT administrators, and individuals who aim to safeguard their systems against malicious files. The scanner identifies threats based on file signatures, behavioral analysis, and heuristic techniques.
1.3 Definitions & Acronyms
|
Acronym |
Definition |
|
Signature |
A unique fingerprint or pattern of a malicious file. |
|
Heuristic Analysis |
Detection of threats based on behavior and properties. |
|
Whitelist |
A list of files known to be safe. |
|
Blacklist |
A list of files known to be malicious. |
2. System Architecture
The architecture of the Real-Time Suspicious File Scanner
includes:
- **File Monitoring Module**: Continuously monitors file creation, modification,
and execution.
- **Signature Database**: Stores patterns of known threats.
- **Heuristic Engine**: Identifies potential threats through behavior analysis.
- **Quarantine Manager**: Isolates suspicious files for further analysis.
- **User Interface**: Provides alerts and reports.
3. Key Features
3.1 Real-Time Monitoring
Detects file activities in real-time and triggers analysis for potential threats.
3.2 Threat Analysis
Utilizes signature matching, heuristic analysis, and file properties to classify threats.
3.3 Quarantine System
Isolates suspicious files to prevent potential harm and allows secure review.
4. Implementation Steps
1. **Setup Environment**: Install libraries and tools like
Python, watchdog, and yara-python.
2. **File Monitoring**: Implement a module to monitor file activities using
watchdog.
3. **Signature Database**: Create or integrate a database of known malicious
file signatures.
4. **Heuristic Rules**: Define rules for analyzing file behaviors.
5. **Quarantine Mechanism**: Design a secure space for isolating suspicious
files.
6. **User Interface**: Develop a simple dashboard or alert system for
notifications.
7. **Testing**: Validate detection accuracy and performance.
8. **Deployment**: Deploy the scanner on target systems.
5. Security Considerations
1. Regularly update the signature database.
2. Ensure isolated files cannot execute from quarantine.
3. Use encryption for sensitive threat data.
6. Tools and Technologies
- **Programming Language**: Python
- **Libraries**: watchdog, yara-python, hashlib
- **Signature Database**: YARA rules, SQLite
- **User Interface**: Flask, Tkinter, or PyQt
7. Testing and Validation
1. Evaluate detection accuracy with various file samples.
2. Simulate real-world scenarios to assess performance.
3. Validate quarantine and restoration mechanisms.