Computer Security System and Method Based on User-Intended Final Destination

Abstract

A system and method is described for protecting applications against malicious URL links by identifying a final destination. The system and method also includes enabling a user process to directly connect to the final destination, bypassing the original URL altogether; thereby bypassing the hacker's ability to use that URL to programmatically send the application to a malicious site.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for protecting applications and computing devices against malicious URL links, the system comprising:
 a computing device comprising a processor and an associated memory;   a software application running on the computing device and comprising a link;   a communications network; and   a final destination determination process;   wherein the computing device is communicatively connected to the communications network;   wherein the final destination determination process identifies a final destination of the link; and   wherein a user process is connected to a URL in a path associated with the link other than the original URL of the link.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user process connects to the final destination. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the final destination is a first URL of the final domain, which is different than the original URL of the link. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the final destination is a first URL of the final domain group, which is different than the original URL of the link. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the final destination is a last URL in the path, which is different than the original URL of the link.