Systems and methods for file loading

Abstract

The application describes systems and methods for preventing the distribution of large volumes of electronic data by loading selected sensitive files with pad data to increase the size of the files such that file transfer, distribution, or downloading to removable media storage devices is more cumbersome. In one aspect, a file loading system comprises a datastore for storing a plurality of data files where each of the plurality of data files includes information and a processor arranged to: access the plurality of data files in the datastore, and load a data pad into one or more of the plurality of data files to increase the size of the one or more of the plurality of data files.

1 . A file loading system comprising:
 a datastore for storing a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including information,   a processor arranged to:
 access the plurality of data files in the datastore, and 
 load a data pad into one or more of the plurality of data files to increase the size of the one or more of the plurality of data files. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the one or more data files is determined based on at least one of the sensitivity of one or more of data files, the data transfer rate of a network in which the datastore resides, the data capacity of one or more removable media storage devices capable of interfacing with the datastore, the data capacity of the datastore, and the processing power of the processor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the sensitivity is based on at least one of the value of the information, the need for secrecy of the information, and the need for privacy of the information. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor loads the data pad in response to an operation associated with the one or more of the plurality of data files. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the operation includes at least one of copy, move, transfer, cut, paste, attach, delete, and send. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor changes the file format of at least one of the plurality of data files from a first file format to a second file format. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor interleaves portions of the information in each data file throughout the data pad in each of the one or more of the plurality of data files. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the interleaved portions of information of the each data file is interleaved base on an interleaving key. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data pad includes a pattern of data elements. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the pattern of data elements is based on pseudorandom function. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the pattern of data elements is based on a pattern key. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  comprising a monitor arranged to monitor an operation associated with the one or more of the plurality of data files. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein monitoring includes inspecting the data pad within the one or more of the plurality of data files. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the monitor stores at least one key related to the one or more of the plurality of data files. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the monitor uses the at least one key to confirm that the pattern of the data pad within the one or more of the plurality of data files is correct. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the monitor identifies the one or more of the plurality of data files based on the data pad. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the monitor monitors the processor to determine whether at least one a file stripping application is running, a file fragmentation application is running, and a file transfer application is running. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the size of the one or more data files is set such that the size does not exceed the maximum size limit associated with the format of the one or more data files. 
     
     
         19 . A method for file loading comprising:
 storing a plurality of data files, each of the plurality of data files including information,   accessing the plurality of data files in the datastore, and   loading a data pad into one or more of the plurality of data files to increase the size of the one or more of the plurality of data files.   
     
     
         20 . A method for inhibiting the transfer of data comprising:
 storing a plurality of data files in a datastore, each of the plurality of data files including sensitive information,   estimating a data size needed for a portion of the plurality of data files to inhibit their transfer from the datastore,   loading each of the plurality of data files with padding such that the data size of the portion of the plurality of data files is greater than or equal to the estimated data size.