Disambiguating conflicting content filter rules

Abstract

A content filtering mechanism is enhanced to resolve conflicts in filtering rules (e.g., those created by a whitelist, on the one hand, and a blacklist, on the other hand). Preferably, a conflict between or among content filtering rules is resolved by selecting among conflicting rules based on a notion of 'risk' associated with the rules. According to this risk-based approach, when two or more rules conflict with one another, the particular rule whose risk value has a predetermined relationship (e.g., aligns most closely) with a risk level associated with the application (applying the rules) then takes precedence. By selecting among conflicting rules based on risk, the potential or actual conflicts are disambiguated, with the result being that the content is filtered appropriately.