ValiCom

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  ValiCom Placeholder Logo

Inspiration

The idea for ValiCom came from a challenge I faced at work, where I needed to verify the status of a large number of company emails to update access permissions for a supplier portal. Traditional methods—like manually emailing each address or cross-referencing with an internal directory—were time-consuming and inefficient. I wanted a way to automate the process in code, allowing for scalable and proactive account monitoring. This led me to create ValiCom, a tool designed to validate and secure access to company systems continuously.

What it does

ValiCom is an automated email and phone number validator that monitors accounts accessing company portals or systems. It checks whether emails and phone numbers are active and flags inactive accounts for review. The ultimate vision is to integrate threat detection capabilities, allowing ValiCom to alert administrators to potential security risks and enhance overall cybersecurity.

How I built it

I developed ValiCom using Python 2 due to compatibility requirements with the validate_email module. The system leverages this module to verify email existence, while phone validation is handled through the phonenumbers library, enabling country-specific checks. To visualize the tool's functionality, I built a GUI with Tkinter, showcasing the user interface for entering and analyzing emails and phone numbers.

Challenges I ran into

One of the main challenges was working in Python 2, as I’m more accustomed to Python 3. This required adjustments in syntax and compatibility for smooth functionality. Additionally, initial attempts at direct SMTP validation faced roadblocks due to domain-level firewalls, especially with high-security domains like .edu. Limited access to threat intelligence APIs and time constraints for machine learning models meant I had to focus solely on validation rather than risk analysis.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

I successfully automated a complex verification task that would otherwise require manual effort or costly external services. Overcoming compatibility issues to get the email validation process running smoothly in Python 2 was a big win. I’m proud of creating a solution that’s both efficient and adaptable, with clear potential for future enhancements in cybersecurity.

What I learned

This project reinforced the importance of adaptability and perseverance when dealing with technical limitations. Working within the constraints of Python 2 was a valuable learning experience, as was troubleshooting email validation challenges posed by modern security firewalls. I also gained deeper insights into the landscape of threat intelligence and how such data could transform security-focused applications.

What's next for ValiCom

The next steps for ValiCom involve expanding beyond basic validation:

• Threat Intelligence Integration: By incorporating threat intelligence feeds, ValiCom could identify and flag suspicious emails and domains.
• Automated Monitoring: Adding scheduled checks and logging for continuous account monitoring, with alerts for any flagged accounts.
• Machine Learning Models: Developing models to detect potentially malicious accounts through behavioral patterns and historical data.

ValiCom’s future enhancements aim to make it a comprehensive, proactive security tool for companies seeking scalable access validation.

Built With

• gui
• phonenumbers
• pil
• python
• tkinter
• validate-email