JP2002196942A - Pattern file renewal system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of inducing naturally even a user having little understanding to a computer virus to renew a pattern file. SOLUTION: This pattern file renewal system 10 is equipped with a pattern file database 22 for housing a pattern file concerned in a computer virus countermeasure program, a content information database 24 for accumulating content information mainly composed of animation data, an information extraction part 26 for extracting the prescribed content information from the content information database 24 when delivery request of the information is outputted from a personal computer 16 of the user through the Internet 18, and transmitting the information together with the pattern file in the pattern file database 22 to the personal computer 16 of the user, a content information reproduction part 42 for reproducing the animation data included in the content information in an animation reproduction window 58 displayed on a screen of the personal computer 16, and a scanning/optimization execution part 50 for applying virus countermeasure processing to a memory device 52 in the personal computer 16 based on the pattern file.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0101]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for updating an antivirus program by distributing the latest pattern file of a computer virus to a user terminal via a communication network such as the Internet. The present invention relates to a system that distributes content information including moving image data together with a pattern file.

[0092]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, due to the explosive spread of the Internet, many people connect to this communication network to obtain and transmit various information. That is, an information processing terminal such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) is prepared, and an ISP is provided through a communication line such as a telephone line.
(Internet service provider) through dial-up connection to enjoy services such as homepage browsing and e-mail. As a result of the widespread use of the Internet WWW and e-mail services, even those who are not very familiar with computers have been exposed to computer virus threats.

In order to protect the user's computer system and data from such computer viruses, it is effective to install a virus protection program (vaccine software) in a personal computer in advance and scan the hard disk periodically. This anti-virus program holds information (pattern files) related to a large number of computer viruses, and compares data and programs stored in the hard disk of the personal computer with virus patterns to determine whether a virus exists. Check. As a result, if the presence of a virus is confirmed, the virus is removed or the like. Recently, such countermeasure programs are often pre-installed when a personal computer is purchased.

[0093]

Since computer viruses are evolving day by day and new kinds of viruses are appearing one after another, it is very dangerous to keep using the installed countermeasure program as it is. Virus pattern files need to be updated. In particular,
It is necessary to access the website of the company that provided the countermeasure program via the Internet and download the latest pattern file. However,
For general users who are not susceptible to computer virus threats, regularly running anti-virus programs to check for viruses is a burden, but it is time to visit the website and update the pattern file. The reality is that you cannot expect to do it spontaneously. Also, when updating the pattern file, it is often required to pay a fee in some form, which has been an obstacle to encouraging regular updating. For this reason, even if a regular check is automatically executed by a memory resident antivirus program, the latest virus is missed because the key pattern file is old, and there is a concern that serious damage may occur. ing.

The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problem in updating the pattern file of the computer virus countermeasure program, and the pattern file can be updated naturally even for a user who has low recognition of the computer virus. It aims to provide a system that can be driven to do so.

[0086]

In order to achieve the above object, a pattern file updating system according to claim 1, comprising: a pattern file storage unit for storing a pattern file related to a computer virus protection program; Content information storage means for storing content information mainly related to the content information in association with a provider of the content information, and the content information storage means when an information distribution request is output from a user terminal via a communication network. Means for extracting predetermined content information from the means and transmitting the content information to the user terminal together with the pattern file in the pattern file storage means; and a moving picture included in the content information in a moving picture reproduction window displayed on the user terminal screen. Means for reproducing data; Based on, and comprising the means for performing anti-virus processing to the user terminal. The “content information” includes audio data, still image data, and text data in addition to the moving image data. A typical example of this content information corresponds to advertisement information of various products and services. However, the concept also includes non-profit public information and news information. According to this pattern file update system,
When downloading the pattern file, the user can simultaneously download the content information of the moving image, and can view the moving image content when performing the virus check. Therefore, it can be expected that even a user who is not very interested in computer viruses will actively update the pattern file. Also, by collecting an appropriate advertisement fee from a provider of content information as an advertisement (advertiser or advertising agency), it is possible to provide a pattern file upgrade service to the user free of charge.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pattern file updating system, comprising: a selected category storing means for storing a category of content information selected by a user in association with the user; When the distribution request is output, the category selected by the user is specified by referring to the selected category storage unit, and the content information corresponding to the category is extracted from the content information storage unit, and the pattern file is extracted. Means for transmitting to the user's terminal together with the pattern file in the storage means. By designating the category of interest in advance, the user is to distribute only the content information belonging to the category.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the information distribution request is output from the user terminal via the communication network, the pattern file updating system extracts the menu of the content information from the content information storage means and outputs the content information menu. Means for transmitting to the terminal, and when there is an input to select a specific category or content information from the user's terminal, extract the corresponding content information from the content information storage means, and extract the pattern in the pattern file storage means. Means for transmitting the file to the user terminal together with the file. As a result, when updating the pattern file, the user can select a category or content information of interest on the spot.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pattern file updating system for storing version information of a pattern file transmitted to a user's terminal in association with the user, When an information distribution request is output, the current version of the user is specified by referring to the version information storage unit, and then an optimal pattern file is extracted from the pattern file storage unit, and is extracted from the content information. And means for transmitting to the user terminal. Since the version of the pattern file is frequently upgraded, it is complicated for the user to know the version. Therefore, it is desirable that the system recognizes the current version of the user as described above and automatically transmits a pattern file of an optimal version to the user.

[0010] The pattern file updating system according to claim 5 compares the date and time when the pattern file was transmitted to the user terminal with the current date and time, and when a predetermined period has elapsed, the content file is updated. The present invention is characterized in that an expiration date managing means for stopping the information reproduction process and the anti-virus process is provided. In this way, by setting a fixed expiration date in the system, it can be expected that the user will become more conscious of periodically updating the pattern file.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pattern file updating system, comprising: an update history storage unit for storing a date and time when a pattern file is transmitted to a user terminal in association with the user; E-mail address storage means registered in association with the user, means for comparing the date and time and the current date and time for each user, and identifying a user who has passed a preset period,
While reading out the e-mail address of the user from the e-mail address storage means and writing it in the destination field,
It is characterized by comprising means for generating an e-mail in which a warning message indicating that the expiration date is imminent is described in the text, and means for transmitting the e-mail to the user's e-mail address. As long as the expiration date is set, it is desirable to take measures to warn the user of the expiration in advance.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the pattern file updating system, when a preset time limit has arrived at a user terminal, the information distribution request is output via a network, or the virus countermeasure for the user terminal is provided. It is characterized by having a term management means for automatically executing the processing. As a result, regular update of the pattern file and execution of the virus check are ensured without the user being particularly conscious.

[0013]

FIG. 1 shows an overall image of a pattern file updating system 10 according to the present invention. A center server managed by an operator of the system 10 is shown in FIG.
12, a number of local servers 14 managed by each content information provider (advertiser, advertising agency, etc.), and a number of personal computers managed by a user 15 updating pattern files
16 are connected to a network via the Internet 18.

The center server 12 and the local server
14 has a WWW (World Wide Web) server function, a mail server function, a name server function, an application server function, a database server function, etc.
Actually, it is configured by connecting a plurality of workstations and personal computers to a network.

Next, the overall flow of the pattern file updating system 10 will be outlined. First, each content information provider transmits content information mainly composed of video data prepared by the content information provider from the local server 14 to the center server 12 via the Internet 18 or the dedicated line 19.
This content information is stored in the database of the center server 12. The user 15 accesses the center server 12 from his / her personal computer 16 via the Internet 18 and requests transfer of content information. Center server
12 transmits a compressed file including the latest pattern file together with the content information to the user. In the personal computer 16 of the user 15, the compressed file is automatically decompressed, and the update and reproduction of the content information are realized. At the same time, the latest pattern file is automatically incorporated into the antivirus program,
Scanning is performed for each of the 16 drives.

FIG. 2 shows this content information distribution system.
It is a block diagram showing the main 10 functional configuration, information registration unit
20, a pattern file database 22, a content information database 24, an information extracting unit 26, a user information updating unit 28, a user database 30, and an expiration date warning unit 32.
An e-mail generating unit 34, an information distribution requesting unit 36, a content information updating unit 38, a content information storing unit 40, a content information reproducing unit 42, a display device 44, a pattern file updating unit 46, File storage unit 48
, A scan / optimization execution unit 50, a storage device 52, and a time limit management unit 54.

The information registration unit 20, the information extraction unit 26, the user information update unit 28, the expiration date warning unit 32, and the e-mail generation unit 34
Is the CPU of the computer that constitutes the center server 12.
Is realized by executing predetermined processing according to the OS and a dedicated application program. Also,
The pattern file database 22, the content information database 24, and the user database 30 are stored in a hard disk of the computer. The information distribution request unit 36, the content information update unit 38, the content information reproduction unit 42, the pattern file update unit 46, the scan / optimization execution unit 50, and the time limit management unit 54
Is realized by executing predetermined processing according to the OS and a dedicated application program. Also,
The storage device 52 is composed of a hard disk or the like of the personal computer 16, and includes a content information storage unit 40 and a pattern file storage unit 48 therein.

Each content information provider has concluded a business outsourcing contract with the operator of the system 10 in advance,
A space for storing its own moving image content information is secured in the content information database 26. When the content information provider transmits the compressed content information from the local server 14 to the center server 12 via the Internet 18, the information registration unit 20 is started, and the content information is associated with the ID of the content information provider. Stored in the database 26. As the “content information”, moving image data with sound mainly corresponds, and various file formats such as MPEG4, AVI, and AVX can be used.

The operator of the system 10 constantly collects computer virus information from all over the world. Every time a new type of virus is found, a corresponding pattern file is immediately generated. The data is stored in the pattern file database 22 via the control unit 20. The system operator also appropriately upgrades the version of the antivirus program itself. In this case, the program is also stored in the pattern file database 22 via the information registration unit 20.

On the user side, it is necessary to install a dedicated program for realizing this system in the personal computer 16 in advance. This dedicated program has a kind of browser function that supports TCP / IP, accesses the center server 12 via the Internet 18, requests distribution of content information and pattern files, and receives transmitted information Has functions. In addition, it has a function of reproducing the distributed content information and a function of executing a virus check in the personal computer 16 based on the updated pattern file. The user can access the website of the center server 12 from the personal computer 16 via the Internet 18 and download this dedicated program. Or a CD attached as a magazine appendix
A dedicated program can be set up on the personal computer 16 through the ROM.

In order for a user to receive the service of the pattern file updating system 10, it is necessary to complete user registration in advance. This user registration is performed from the personal computer 16 to the Internet 18 on the website of the center server 12.
Access via, call the new application form on the PC screen, enter the required information, and return it to the website to complete. FIG. 3 shows an example of this application form, in which a list for selecting a category of content information desired to be distributed is displayed in addition to attribute information such as name, telephone number, gender, age, and address. . For example, when the user has a strong interest in a computer, a check box of the computer is checked. As a result, content information on the computer is preferentially distributed to the user. The selection of this category can of course be changed later.

At the center Web site, after confirming that all necessary items have been entered, the user is stored in the user database 30 as a new user. FIG. 4 shows an example of data items set in the user database 30. In addition to general attribute information such as name, telephone number, gender, age, e-mail address, etc. And an item for recording an update history and the like.

Next, the processing procedure of the pattern file updating system 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the user sets up and activates the dedicated program on the personal computer 16, as shown in FIG. 6, a small moving image reproducing window 58 is displayed on the display 44 of the personal computer 16 by the content information reproducing section 42 (see FIG. 6). S10). A moving image reproduction area 60 is provided at the center of the moving image reproduction window 58. The content information reproducing unit 42 reads out the content information stored in the content information storage unit 40. The moving image data in the content information is reproduced on the display device 44 of the personal computer 16.
The audio data in the content information is reproduced via a speaker or headphones (not shown) connected to the personal computer 16.

When the "update" button in the moving image reproduction window 58 is clicked, the connection to the Web site of the center server 12 is automatically made via the Internet 18, and an information distribution request is output through the information distribution request section 36. Of course, if the user's personal computer 16 is not connected to the Internet 18 (S12), dial-up connection processing is executed (S12).
14). In the center server 12 that has received the information distribution request (S16), the information extraction unit 26 searches the user database 30 using the user identification code transmitted from the user's personal computer 18 as a key (S18). Check the update history. Then, based on the version information of the pattern file currently stored in the personal computer 16 of the user, the optimum pattern file version is specified, and the corresponding pattern file is extracted from the pattern file database 22 (S20). At the same time, the information extraction unit 26 refers to the selected category item in the user database 30 to specify the field of the content information that the user wants to distribute, and extracts the latest content information in the field from the content information database 24. (S22). Each data extracted from the pattern file database 22 and the content information database 24 is compressed to a predetermined file format and then delivered to the user's personal computer 16 via the Internet 18 (S24). The fact that the information extraction unit 26 transmitted the update file to the specific user is recorded in a predetermined data item in the user database 30 along with the date and time information via the user information update unit 28 (S26).

In the user's personal computer 16, after the distribution file is decompressed by the information distribution request unit 36, the pattern file is additionally stored in the pattern file storage unit 48 by the pattern file update unit 46 (S28). At the same time, the content information is overwritten and stored in the content information storage unit 40 by the content information update unit 38 (S30). As a result, the user's personal computer 16
Incorporates the latest pattern files,
The latest content information is set up.

When the user performs a virus check in the personal computer 16 based on the latest pattern file, the user first checks a desired one of the object selection units 62 provided in the moving image reproduction window 58, Click the "Start" button. As a result, the scan / optimization execution unit
Scanning of the hard disk of the personal computer 16 is executed by 50 (S32). Specifically, the program or data stored on the hard disk is compared with the pattern file to detect the presence of a virus.If a virus is found, it is removed, deleted, renamed, and if possible, Takes appropriate measures such as repairing the corrupted data. After the virus check is completed, system optimization processing such as defragmentation processing and disk cleaning processing is performed on the hard disk. Further, the same processing as described above is performed by the scan / optimization execution unit 50 on a drive other than the hard disk and an E-Mail selected by the user.

While the scanning process is being executed, the progress of the process is displayed as a bar graph 64, as shown in FIG. 7, so that the user can visually grasp the progress. In the moving image reproduction area 60, the moving image content in the field selected by the user is reproduced, and the audio content is reproduced via a speaker or headphones (S34). In other words, the user can enjoy the content information on the products and services in his favorite field by video and audio during the monotonous virus check.

Moreover, the content information is updated to the latest one each time the pattern file is distributed, so that the user does not get tired. When the content information is updated, the content information is overwritten and stored in the content information storage unit 40 as described above, so that the hard disk area of the personal computer 16 is not occupied more than necessary. The length (reproduction time) of the moving image distributed to the user is set in consideration of the time required for virus check. For example, if it is assumed that one virus check requires at least 5 minutes, the content information for at least 5 minutes is delivered. Alternatively, five pieces of content information for one minute may be distributed.

[0029] The content information includes the UR of each advertiser.
Since L is associated, when the mouse pointer is positioned over the moving image reproduction area 60 and clicked during reproduction, a general-purpose browser is activated and automatically connected to the advertiser's Web site. For this reason, the user can obtain more detailed information on the product or service in the video advertisement through the web page of the advertiser. Alternatively, it becomes possible to apply for a campaign related to an advertisement or to respond to a questionnaire.

When the “report” button is clicked after the processing by the scan / optimization execution unit 50 is completed,
, The report display field 66 is expanded. Here, when a problem is found in the process of virus check or system optimization processing, information on the problem is displayed in a list.

The user of the system 10 is required to periodically update the pattern file by concluding a contract with the system operator at the time of new subscription. For example, the pattern file is updated at least once every two months, and the virus check based on the latest pattern file is described in the pledge in the new application form, and "Agree" is checked. It is a condition of subscription. If the two-month period expires, the user will not be able to issue the latest information distribution request to the center server 12, and will not be able to play moving images or check for viruses.
Specifically, the time limit management unit 54 compares the last update date and time with the current date and time, and if two months or more have passed, the information distribution request unit 36, the scan / optimization execution unit 50, and the content A signal is output to the information reproducing unit 42 to stop the processing in each unit.

In this case, the user again operates the center server 12.
It is necessary to access the Web site and perform a new application procedure. In this way, by setting the expiration date for the dedicated program set up on the user's personal computer 16, the user can be made aware of the importance of regularly updating the pattern file. User is 2
If the renewal is performed within the period of one month, it is needless to say that the expiration date is further extended by two months at that time.

The above two-month deadline means an update deadline that must be kept at a minimum. In practice, it is desirable that the latest pattern file and content information be generated at intervals of about two weeks. Updates should be made as often as possible. Therefore, each time a pattern file or content information is updated, the system operator notifies the user of the update information by e-mail. Specifically, when the information registration unit 20 updates and registers new content information or a pattern file, the e-mail generation unit 34 starts. And
The e-mail address of each user stored in the user database 30 is described in the destination column, and an e-mail in which the commentary information on the updated file is described in the text is generated. Send.

The expiration date warning unit 32 constantly monitors the user database 30, and extracts the e-mail address of a user who has been almost two months from the last update date and time, and checks the expiration date of the user. A warning sentence including information such as the remaining period is generated and passed to the e-mail generation unit. The e-mail generation unit 34 generates an e-mail in which the user's e-mail address is described in the destination field and the above-mentioned warning text is described in the text, and transmits the e-mail to the user's mail server via the Internet 18.

In the above case, the information extracting unit 26 refers to the user database 30 and automatically extracts and extracts content information related to the category selected by the user in advance.
Although an example of distribution is shown, it is also possible to operate so that the user selects a category of content information every time a pattern file is updated. FIG. 8 shows an example of such an arrangement. When the user clicks the "update" button, another window 68 for selecting content information is opened. When this separate window 68 starts up,
We automatically center server 12 via the Internet 18
A connection is made to the site b, and a menu distribution request for content information is output through the information distribution requesting unit 36.

In the center server 12 receiving this, the information extracting unit 26 extracts the menu data of the content information stored in the content information database 24, transmits it to the user's personal computer 16, and sends it to the display area 70 of another window 68. To be displayed in a list. The user selects a desired category from this menu list, and associates “Up” with the category.
Click the "grade" button. As a result, the information extraction unit 2
6 transmits the content information included in the selected category and the latest pattern file to the personal computer 16 of the user. The category of the content information selected by the user this time is recorded in the user database 30 via the user information updating unit 28.

In the above description, an example is shown in which the category of the content information is selected each time the user updates the pattern file. In this case, the specific combination of the content information to be distributed is determined by the system operator. Will be determined. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, it is also possible for the user to select a combination of content information to be distributed. That is, the display area of the separate window 68
In 70, a list of individual content information names included in the lower layer of each category is displayed. In the figure, individual content information names belonging to the category of “computer-related products” are listed, and the user checks a required title from among them, and clicks an “Upgrade” button.

As a result, the information extracting unit 26 transmits the selected content information and the latest pattern file to the personal computer 16 of the user. The content information selected by the user this time is recorded in the user database 30 via the user information updating unit 28. In this way, if the user is made to select up to the level of each piece of content information, and the results are stored in the user database 30, the records (history information) in the user database 30 can be aggregated later, and a specific The popularity and audience rating of the content information can be ascertained, and the content information can be used as effective marketing data.

In the above description, it is assumed that the user voluntarily accesses the center server 12 within the expiration date to download a pattern file or the like, or consciously executes scanning on the hard disk or the like of the personal computer 16. However, the processing can be automatically performed on the system 10 side according to a preset schedule. In this case, the user first displays a schedule setting menu of the dedicated program set up on the personal computer 16 on the screen, and registers the timing of automatic execution.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a setting menu. When the virus scan is automatically executed,
Check "Automatically scan for viruses". If the user wants to perform the automatic execution every day, check the box “Perform at a predetermined time every day” and enter a desired time in the input box. On the other hand, if the user wants to perform the operation every week, check “Specify the day of the week” and also check the desired day of the week. As a result,
When the time limit management unit 54 detects the arrival of the set time or the day of the week, a signal is output to the scan / optimization execution unit 50 and the content information reproduction unit 42 to instruct execution of necessary processing.

In order to periodically update the pattern file, check "Automatic acquisition of latest pattern file" and select its timing. In other words, if "every day at PC startup" is checked, every time the user starts up the personal computer 16 every morning, the time limit management unit 54 detects this and outputs a signal to the information distribution requesting unit 36 to output a signal to the center server 12. To make an information distribution request for. If “specify the day of the week” and an arbitrary day of the week are checked, a signal is output from the time limit management unit 54 to the information distribution request unit 36 each time the day of the week arrives, and an information distribution request to the center server 12 is sent. Is issued.

[0042]

According to the computer virus pattern file updating system according to the present invention, the user can download the pattern file at the same time as downloading the content information mainly of the moving image. Since the user can view the content information, it can be expected that even a user who is not very interested in computer viruses will actively update the pattern file. In addition, by collecting an appropriate advertisement fee from the provider of the content information, it is possible to provide a pattern file upgrade service to the user free of charge.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an image diagram showing an overall configuration of a pattern file updating system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the pattern file updating system.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram illustrating a configuration example of a new application form.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data items set in a user database.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the pattern file updating system.

FIG. 6 is a layout diagram illustrating a display example of a moving image playback window.

FIG. 7 is a layout diagram illustrating a display example of a moving image playback window.

FIG. 8 is a layout diagram illustrating a display example of a moving image reproduction window and another window.

FIG. 9 is a layout diagram showing another display example of another window.

FIG. 10 is a layout diagram showing a display example of a schedule setting menu.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Pattern file update system 12 Center server 14 Local server 15 User 16 PC 18 Internet 19 Dedicated line 20 Information registration unit 22 Pattern file database 24 Content information database 26 Information extraction unit 28 User information update unit 30 User database 32 Expiration date warning unit 34 E-mail generation unit 36 Information distribution request unit 38 Content information update unit 40 Content information storage unit 42 Content information reproduction unit 44 Display device 46 Pattern file update unit 48 Pattern file storage unit 50 Scan / optimization execution unit 52 Storage device 54 Term management Section 56 Terminal 58 Video playback window 60 Video playback area 62 Target selection section 64 Bar graph 66 Report display field 68 Separate window 70 Display area

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Eiichi Hirara 1-15-15 Furushima, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture Inside Okiden Information Service Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shen Daiwei 5-1-1 Hoshizaki, Gushikawa City, Okinawa Prefecture Co., Ltd. Scion Communications (72) Inventor Wu Minmin, No. 8 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Qianguo District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan F-Term (Reference) 5B076 FD08

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A pattern file storage means for storing a pattern file related to a computer virus protection program, and a content information storage for storing content information mainly composed of moving image data in association with a provider of the content information. Means for extracting predetermined content information from the content information storage means when the information distribution request is output from the user terminal via the communication network, and transmitting the extracted content information to the user terminal together with the pattern file in the pattern file storage means. Means for transmitting, means for playing back moving picture data included in the content information in a moving picture playback window displayed on the user's terminal screen, and executing anti-virus processing on the user's terminal based on the pattern file Means for performing, and comprising Pattern file update system that. 2. A selection category storage means for storing a category of content information selected by a user in association with the user, and when an information distribution request is output from a user terminal via a communication network, After specifying the category selected by the user with reference to the selected category storage unit, the content information corresponding to the category is extracted from the content information storage unit, and the user terminal is extracted together with the pattern file in the pattern file storage unit. The pattern file updating system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for transmitting the pattern file. 3. A means for extracting a menu of content information from the content information storage means and transmitting it to the user terminal when an information distribution request is output from the user terminal via the communication network; Means for extracting corresponding content information from the content information storage means when there is an input for selecting a specific category or content information from the terminal, and transmitting the extracted content information to a user terminal together with a pattern file in the pattern file storage means; The pattern file updating system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. A version information storage means for storing version information of a pattern file transmitted to a user terminal in association with the user, and a case where an information distribution request is output from the user terminal via a communication network. Means for identifying the current version of the user with reference to the version information storage means, extracting an optimum pattern file from the pattern file storage means, and transmitting the extracted pattern file to the user terminal together with the content information; The pattern file updating system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: 5. The present invention compares the date and time when the pattern file was transmitted to the user's terminal with the current date and time, and stops the content information reproduction process and the virus countermeasure process if a preset period has elapsed. 5. The pattern file updating system according to claim 1, further comprising an expiration date managing means for causing the pattern file to be updated. 6. An update history storage means for recording the date and time when a pattern file was transmitted to a user terminal in association with the user, and an e-mail for registering an e-mail address of each user in association with the user. Address storage means, a means for comparing the date and time and the current date and time for each user, and specifying a user for whom a preset period has elapsed; and reading out the e-mail address of the user from the e-mail address storage means In the address column,
6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising: means for generating an e-mail in which a warning message indicating that the expiration date is imminent is described in the text, and means for transmitting the e-mail to a user's e-mail address. The pattern file update system described in 1. 7. A process for outputting the information delivery request via a network when a preset time limit has arrived at a user terminal, or automatically executing the anti-virus process for the user terminal. The pattern file updating system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising means.