Method and system for filtering communication

• US 20040193922A1
• Filed: 10/02/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Axway Incorporated (Axway Software SA)
• Original Assignee: Axway Incorporated (Axway Software SA)
• Inventors: Dickinson, Robert D., Smith, Jeffrey C., Jevans, David, Krishnamurthy, Sathvik, Bandini, Jean-Christophe, Hines, John, Odnert, Daryl
• Application Number:
  US10/678,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20040193922A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/154
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/063 Content adaptation, e.g. replacement of unsuitable content
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0245 Filtering by information in the payload

Abstract

A e-mail relay provides message filtering services to an e-mail network. The e-mail relay monitors incoming communication and intercepts messages. The e-mail relay extracts signature data from messages that include signature data. The e-mail relay restricts the delivery of message based on the presence and validity of signature data. The e-mail relay optionally classifies a sender in accordance with a level associated with validated signature data.

Claims

1. A method for controlling reception of messages in an e-mail network, each message is associated with a message sender, comprising:

providing an e-mail relay, the e-mail relay interposed along a message communication path associated with a public network and an e-mail server of the e-mail network;

the e-mail relay receiving a message intended for a recipient associated with the e-mail network;

the e-mail relay extracting signature data from the message;

the e-mail relay validating the signature data; and

the e-mail relay executing at least one predetermined action in response to determining that the signature data is valid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the e-mail relay further classifies the signature data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the e-mail relay validates the signature data by employing a validation authority.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one predetermined action comprises allowing the message to proceed to at least one recipient.