公开(公告)号：GB2506622A

公开(公告)日：2014-04-09

申请号：GB201217732

申请日：2012-10-04

Applicant: IBM

Inventor： SCHAEFER ROLF ,  STRAUS RUBEN ,  DIETZ MATHIAS ,  AKELBEIN JENS-PETER ,  HAUSTEIN NILS

IPC: G06F21/56

Abstract: An anti-virus data management method comprises, receiving an instruction to write data to storage 231; examining the data for malicious content (such as malware and viruses) using a malicious content scanner 220; wherein, if no malicious content is found, writing the data and linking/associating a signature representing the version of the malicious content scanner with the data. A further method comprises, receiving an instruction to read data (identified by a data identified) from storage, the first data linked with a malicious content scanner version signature; determining the version signature of the current malicious content scanner; and examining the data for malicious content if the signatures do not match. These methods may be used in a backup system 200/230 that preserves old copies of data, and may be used in conjunction with a backup scheme where certain copies are deleted. If examining of data reveals malicious content, then an older copy may be identified (using the data identifier) and examined unless it has already been scanned using the current malicious content scanner.