×

Defending against malicious electronic messages

  • US 10,333,950 B2
  • Filed: 05/01/2016
  • Issued: 06/25/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/01/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A computer-implemented method for defending against malicious electronic messages, the method comprising:

  • analyzing a plurality of electronic messages, wherein each of the electronic messages is either of a) an electronic mail message and b) an instant message sent via a computer network, to identify a plurality of predefined risk elements, wherein the plurality of predefined risk elements include any ofa predefined suspicious word or phrase included in any of the plurality of electronic messages, anda computer network address included in any of the plurality of electronic messages;

    detecting an attempt by a computer user to perform a computer-mediated action that is associated with any of the plurality of electronic messages, wherein the computer-mediated action includes either of a) sending information to the computer network address and b) retrieving information located at the computer network address;

    assigning a predefined risk value to each of the plurality of predefined risk elements;

    determining a total of the risk values of the plurality of predefined risk elements found across the plurality of electronic messages, wherein the plurality of electronic messages are sent by a common sender or sent by multiple senders regarding a common topic;

    identifying a potential security risk associated with any of the plurality of electronic messages and the computer-mediated action if the total of the risk values of the plurality of predefined risk elements found across the plurality of electronic messages meets or exceeds a predefined threshold value; and

    performing a predefined preventive security action responsive to identifying the potential security risk.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×