A method and system for automatically implementing firmware revisions is disclosed. In the image searching method and apparatus, a dominant image element is extracted using a fractal image compression method, so that the image is partially restored, to thereby effectively search for the video image. Each frame in the input bitstream is decoded, and complexity information indicating the complexity of the frame after decoding is obtained. A segmentation mask for each frame of each video is determined. If so, the system denies access to the network application. The authentication process includes verification of the access policy associated with the source node.