System and method for detecting and filtering unsolicited and undesired electronic messages

• US 20050210106A1
• Filed: 03/17/2004
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Email Patents LLC
• Original Assignee: Message Level LLC
• Inventors: Cunningham, Brian D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,005,899 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking

Abstract

A sending device locates and stores identifying information for each electronic message sent by the device. A receiving device, upon receipt of an electronic message, locates identifying information for the electronic message and the purported sending device of the message. The receiving device communicates a confirmation request to the purported sending device which contains identifying information for the message. The sending device receives confirmation messages and replies to such messages confirming that the message was sent if identifying information in the confirmation request corresponds to identifying information stored by the sending device and denying that the message was sent if the identifying information in the confirmation request does not correspond to stored data.

Claims

1. A system for preventing the delivery of unsolicited and undesired electronic messages comprising:

a sending device sending electronic messages wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying each said electronic message sent and wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying the sending device purportedly sending each said electronic message;

a receiving device receiving electronic messages, said receiving device communicating with a receiving module,

said receiving module comprising;

means for temporarily withholding from delivery to the intended recipient an electronic message received by said receiving device;

means for locating within said received electronic message data identifying said received electronic message;

means for locating within said received electronic message data identifying the device from which the received electronic message is purported to have been sent;

means for preparing and transmitting a confirmation request to the device identified as the purported sender of said received electronic message, wherein said confirmation request contains data identifying said received electronic message;

means for receiving a reply to said confirmation request wherein said reply affirms or denies that said received electronic message was sent by said device identified as the purported sender of said received electronic message, and;

means for permitting delivery of said received electronic message to the intended recipient when the reply to said confirmation request message affirms that the device identified as the purported sender of the message sent the message,

said sending device communicating with a sending module and said sending device comprising means for receiving a confirmation request from said receiving module and for communicating said confirmation request to said sending module,

said sending module comprising;

means for locating within each said electronic message sent by said sending device data identifying each said electronic message, wherein said data identifying each said electronic message corresponds to the data identifying said received electronic message included in said confirmation request;

means for copying and storing said data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device and wherein said data identifying each said electronic message copied and stored by said sending device corresponds to the data identifying said received electronic message included in said confirmation request prepared by said receiving module;

means for receiving a confirmation request from said sending device;

means for comparing the data identifying said received electronic message within said confirmation request with the data identifying each electronic message sent by said sending device and stored by said sending module to determine whether the data identifying said received electronic message in said confirmation request message identifies an electronic message sent by said sending device; and

means for replying to said confirmation request message wherein said reply confirms that said sending device sent the received electronic message when the data identifying said received electronic message contained within said confirmation request message identifies a message sent by said sending device and wherein said reply denies that said sending device sent the received electronic message when the data identifying the received electronic message contained within said confirmation request message does not identify an electronic message sent by said device sending electronic messages.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the data identifying said received electronic message by said receiving module comprises the date and time the received electronic message was prepared and the electronic address for the purported sender of said received electronic message and wherein said data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device comprises the date and time each said electronic message was prepared and the electronic address for the sender of each said sent electronic message.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the data identifying said received electronic message by said receiving module comprises the date and time the received electronic message was prepared, the electronic address for the purported sender of said received electronic message, and the electronic addresses for the intended recipients of said received electronic message and wherein said data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device comprises the date and time each said electronic message was prepared, the electronic address for the sender of each said sent electronic message, and the electronic addresses for the intended recipients of each said sent electronic message.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the receiving module further comprises means for encrypting said confirmation request and means for decrypting said reply to said confirmation request and wherein the sending module further comprises means for decrypting said confirmation request and means for encrypting said reply to said confirmation request message.

5. A system for preventing the delivery of unsolicited and undesired electronic messages comprising:

a sending device sending electronic messages wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying the sending device purportedly sending each said electronic message;

a receiving device receiving electronic messages, said receiving device communicating with a receiving module;

said receiving module comprising;

means for temporarily withholding from delivery to the intended recipient an electronic message received by said receiving device;

means for preparing an identification data string from said received electronic message wherein said identification data string is prepared by applying an algorithm to said received electronic message;

means for locating within said received electronic message data identifying the device from which the received electronic message is purported to have been sent;

means for preparing and transmitting a confirmation request to the device identified as the purported sender of said received electronic message, wherein said confirmation request contains said identification data string prepared by said receiving module for said received electronic message;

means for receiving a reply to said confirmation request wherein said reply affirms or denies that said received electronic message was sent by said device identified as the purported sender of said received electronic message, and;

means for permitting delivery of said received electronic message to the intended recipient when the reply to said confirmation request message affirms that the device identified as the purported sender of the message sent the message,

said sending device communicating with a sending module and said sending device comprising means for receiving confirmation requests from said receiving module and for communicating said confirmation requests to said sending module,

said sending module comprising;

means for preparing an identification data string for each electronic message sent by said sending device wherein said identification data string is prepared by applying said algorithm to each said sent electronic message;

means for storing said identification data string for each said electronic message sent by said sending device;

means for receiving a confirmation request from said sending device;

means for comparing the identification data string for a received electronic message within said confirmation request with each identification data string for each electronic message sent by said sending device and stored by said sending module to determine whether the identification data string for said received electronic message in said confirmation request message identifies an electronic message sent by said sending device; and

means for replying to said confirmation request message wherein said reply confirms that said sending device sent the received electronic message when the identification data string identifying said received electronic message contained within said confirmation request message identifies a message sent by said sending device and wherein said reply denies that said sending device sent the received electronic message when the identification data string identifying the received electronic message contained within said confirmation request message does not identify an electronic message sent by said device sending electronic messages.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the receiving module further comprises means for encrypting said confirmation request and means for decrypting said reply to said confirmation request and wherein the sending module further comprises means for decrypting said confirmation request and means for encrypting said reply to said confirmation request message.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said sending module further comprises means for including said identification data string in each said sent electronic message.

8. A system for preventing the delivery of unsolicited and undesired electronic messages comprising:

a sending device sending electronic messages wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying each said electronic message sent and wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying the sending device purportedly sending each said electronic message;

a receiving device receiving electronic messages, said receiving device communicating with a receiving module;

said receiving module comprising;

means for temporarily withholding from delivery to the intended recipient an electronic message received by said receiving device;

means for locating within said received electronic message data identifying said received electronic message;

means for locating within said received electronic message data identifying the device from which the received electronic message is purported to have been sent;

means for preparing an identification data string from said received electronic message wherein said identification data string is prepared by applying an algorithm to said received electronic message;

means for preparing and transmitting a confirmation request to the device identified as the purported sender of said received electronic message, wherein said confirmation request contains data identifying said received electronic message and said identification data string prepared for said received electronic message;

means for receiving a reply to said confirmation request wherein said reply affirms or denies that said received electronic message was sent by said device identified as the purported sender of said received electronic message, and;

means for permitting delivery of said received electronic message to the intended recipient when the reply to said confirmation request message affirms that the device identified as the purported sender of the message sent the message,

said sending device communicating with a sending module and said sending device comprising means for receiving confirmation requests from said receiving module and for communicating said confirmation requests to said sending module,

said sending module comprising;

means for locating within each electronic message sent by said sending device data identifying each said electronic message, wherein said data identifying each said electronic message corresponds to the data identifying said received electronic message included in said confirmation request;

means for preparing an identification data string for each electronic message sent by said sending device wherein said identification data string is prepared by applying said algorithm to each said sent electronic message;

means for copying and storing said identification data string and said data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device and wherein said data identifying each said electronic message copied and stored by said sending device corresponds to the data identifying each received electronic message included in said confirmation request prepared by said receiving module;

means for receiving a confirmation request from said sending device;

means for comparing the identification data string and the data identifying said received electronic message within said confirmation request with each identification data string and the data identifying each electronic message sent by said sending device and stored by said sending module to determine whether the identification data string and the data identifying said received electronic message in said confirmation request message identifies an electronic message sent by said sending device; and

means for replying to said confirmation request message wherein said reply confirms that said sending device sent the received electronic message when the identification data string and the data identifying said received electronic message contained within said confirmation request message identifies a message sent by said sending device and wherein said reply denies that said sending device sent the received electronic message when the identification data string and the data identifying the received electronic message contained within said confirmation request message does not identify an electronic message sent by said device sending electronic messages.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the data identifying said received electronic message by said receiving module comprises the date and time the received electronic message was prepared and the electronic address for the purported sender of said received electronic message and wherein said data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device comprises the date and time each said electronic message was prepared and the electronic address for the sender of each said sent electronic message.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the data identifying said received electronic message by said receiving module comprises the date and time the received electronic message was prepared, the electronic address for the purported sender of said received electronic message, and the electronic addresses for the intended recipients of said received electronic message and wherein said data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device comprises the date and time each said electronic message was prepared, the electronic address for the sender of each said sent electronic message, and the electronic addresses for the intended recipients of each said sent electronic message.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the receiving module further comprises means for encrypting said confirmation request and means for decrypting said reply to said confirmation request and wherein the sending module further comprises means for decrypting said confirmation request and means for encrypting said reply to said confirmation request message.

12. A system for preventing the delivery of unsolicited and undesired electronic messages comprising:

a sending device sending electronic messages wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying each said electronic message sent and wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying said sending device;

a confirmation device in communication with said sending device;

a receiving device receiving electronic messages, said receiving device communicating with a receiving module;

said receiving module comprising;

means for temporarily withholding from delivery to the intended recipient an electronic message received by said receiving device;

means for locating within said received electronic message data identifying the device from which the received electronic message is purported to have been sent;

means for preparing and transmitting a confirmation request to said confirmation device wherein said confirmation request contains data identifying said received electronic message and data identifying the device from which said received electronic message is purported to have been sent;

means for receiving a reply to a confirmation request wherein said reply affirms or denies that said received electronic message was sent by said device identified as the purported sender of said received electronic message, and;

means for permitting delivery of said received electronic message to the intended recipient when the reply to said confirmation request message affirms that the device identified as the purported sender of the message sent the message,

said sending device comprising means for transmitting to said confirmation device data identifying each electronic message sent by said sending device wherein said data identifying each said electronic message corresponds to the data identifying said received electronic message in said confirmation request;

said confirmation device comprising;

means for storing said data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device and wherein said data identifying each said electronic message copied and stored by said confirmation device corresponds to the data identifying said received electronic message in said confirmation request prepared by said receiving module;

means for receiving a confirmation request from said receiving module;

means for comparing the data identifying said received electronic message within said confirmation request with the data identifying each electronic message sent by said sending device and stored by said confirmation device to determine whether the data identifying said received electronic message in said confirmation request message identifies an electronic message sent by said sending device; and

means for replying to said confirmation request message wherein said reply confirms that said sending device sent the received electronic message when the data identifying said received electronic message contained within said confirmation request message identifies a message sent by said sending device and wherein said reply denies that said sending device sent the received electronic message when the data identifying the received electronic message contained within said confirmation request message does not identify an electronic message sent by said sending device.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the data identifying said received electronic message by said receiving module comprises the date and time the received electronic message was prepared and the electronic address for the purported sender of said received electronic message and wherein the data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device comprises the date and time each said electronic message was prepared and the electronic address for the sender of each said sent electronic message.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the data identifying said received electronic message by said receiving module comprises the date and time the received electronic message was prepared, the electronic address for the purported sender of said received electronic message, and the electronic addresses for the intended recipients of said received electronic message and wherein said data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device comprises the date and time each said electronic message was prepared, the electronic address for the sender of each said sent electronic message, and the electronic addresses for the intended recipients of each said sent electronic message.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the receiving module further comprises means for encrypting said confirmation request and means for decrypting said reply to said confirmation request and wherein said confirmation device further comprises means for decrypting said confirmation request and means for encrypting said reply to said confirmation request message.

16. A system for preventing the delivery of unsolicited and undesired electronic messages comprising:

a sending device sending electronic messages wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying each said electronic message sent and wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying said sending device;

a confirmation device in communication with said sending device;

a receiving device receiving electronic messages, said receiving device communicating with a receiving module;

said receiving module comprising;

means for temporarily withholding from delivery to the intended recipient an electronic message received by said receiving device;

means for preparing an identification data string from said received electronic message wherein said identification data string is prepared by applying an algorithm to said received electronic message;

means for locating within said received electronic message data identifying the device from which the received electronic message is purported to have been sent;

means for preparing and transmitting a confirmation request wherein said confirmation request contains said identification data string prepared by said receiving module for said received electronic message;

means for receiving a reply to a confirmation request wherein said reply affirms or denies that said received electronic message was sent by said device identified as the purported sender of said received electronic message, and;

means for permitting delivery of said received electronic message to the intended recipient when the reply to said confirmation request message affirms that the device identified as the purported sender of the message sent the message;

said sending device comprising means for preparing an identification data string for each said electronic message sent by said sending device wherein said identification data string is prepared by applying said algorithm to each said sent electronic message and further comprising means for transmitting said identification data string for each said electronic message to said confirmation device;

said confirmation device comprising

means for storing said identification data string for each said electronic message sent by said sending device;

means for receiving a confirmation request from said receiving module;

means for comparing the identification data string for said received electronic message within said confirmation request with each identification data string for each said electronic message sent by said sending device and stored by said confirmation device to determine whether the identification data string for said received electronic message in said confirmation request identifies an electronic message sent by said sending device; and

means for replying to said confirmation request message wherein said reply confirms that said sending device sent the received electronic message when the identification data string identifying said received electronic message contained within said confirmation request message identifies a message sent by said sending device and wherein said reply denies that said sending device sent the received electronic message when the identification data string identifying the received electronic message contained within said confirmation request message does not identify an electronic message sent by said sending device.

17. A method for preventing the delivery of unsolicited and undesired electronic messages in a network comprising at least one sending device sending electronic messages and at least one receiving device receiving electronic messages wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying each said electronic message sent and wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying the sending device purportedly sending each said electronic message, the method comprising the steps of:

preparing, by said sending device, an information record for each said electronic message sent by said sending device wherein each said information record contains data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device;

storing each said information record prepared by said sending device;

transmitting, by said sending device, an electronic message to said receiving device;

receiving, by said receiving device, an electronic message sent by said sending device;

withholding the delivery to the intended recipient of said electronic message received by said receiving device;

locating, by said receiving device, within said received electronic message device, data identifying said received electronic message and data identifying said sending device from which the received electronic message is purported to have been sent, wherein said data identifying said received electronic message corresponds to said data identifying each electronic message sent by said sending device and stored by said sending device in an information record;

preparing, by said receiving device, a confirmation request wherein said confirmation request contains data identifying said received electronic message wherein said data identifying said received electronic message corresponds to data identifying each electronic message sent by said sending device and stored by said sending device in an information record;

transmitting, by said receiving device, said confirmation request to said sending device purported to have been the sender of said received electronic message;

receiving, by said sending device, said confirmation request wherein said confirmation request contains data identifying a received electronic message by said receiving device and wherein said data identifying a received electronic message corresponds to data identifying an electronic message sent by said sending device and stored in an information record;

comparing, by said sending device, data identifying said received electronic message with data in each said information record to determine whether said received electronic message was sent by said sending device;

replying, by said sending device, to said confirmation request, wherein said reply affirms that said received electronic message was sent by said sending device when said data identifying said received electronic message identifies an electronic message sent by said sending device and wherein said reply denies that said received electronic message originated from said sending device when said data identifying said received electronic message in said confirmation request does not identify an electronic message sent by said sending device;

receiving, by said receiving device, a reply to said confirmation record, and;

making available for delivery, by said receiving device, said received electronic message to said intended recipient when said reply to said confirmation record affirms that said sending device sent said received electronic message.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device comprises the date and time the electronic message was prepared and the electronic address for the purported sender of each said sent electronic message and wherein said data identifying each said received electronic message received by said receiving device comprises the date and time said electronic message was prepared and the electronic address for the purported sender of said received electronic message.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device comprises the date and time the sent electronic message was prepared, the electronic address for the purported sender of said sent electronic message, and the electronic addresses for the intended recipients of said sent electronic message and wherein said data identifying each said received electronic message received by said receiving device comprises the date and time the received electronic message was prepared, the electronic address for the purported sender of said received electronic message, and the electronic addresses for the intended recipients of said received electronic message.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of transmitting a confirmation request by said receiving device further includes encrypting said confirmation request, the step of receiving said confirmation request by said sending device further includes decrypting said confirmation request, the step of replying to said confirmation request by said sending device further includes encrypting said reply, and the step of receiving said reply by said receiving device further includes decrypting said reply.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the method further includes the steps of:

preparing, by said sending device and by applying an algorithm to each said electronic message sent by said sending device, an identification data string for each said electronic message sent by said sending device and including said identification data string in said information record for each said sent electronic message;

preparing, by said receiving device for said received electronic message, an identification data string for said received electronic message by applying said algorithm to said received electronic message, and;

wherein the step of preparing said confirmation request further includes including said identification data string for said received electronic message in said confirmation request and wherein the step of comparing, by said sending device, data identifying said received electronic message with data in each said information record further includes comparing said identification data string in said confirmation request with each said identification data string in each said information record for each said sent electronic message to determine whether said received electronic message was transmitted by said sending device.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the method further includes the step of appending to said electronic message transmitted by said sending device to said receiving device said identification data string prepared for said electronic message transmitted to said receiving device.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of transmitting a confirmation request by said receiving device further includes encrypting said confirmation request, the step of receiving said confirmation request by said sending device includes decrypting said confirmation request, the step of replying to said confirmation request by said sending device further includes encrypting said reply, and the step of receiving said reply by said receiving device further includes decrypting said reply.

24. A method for preventing the delivery of unsolicited and undesired electronic messages in a network comprising at least one sending device sending electronic messages, at least one receiving device receiving electronic messages and at least one confirming device, confirming the authenticity of electronic messages sent by at least one sending device, wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying each said electronic message sent and wherein each said electronic message sent by said sending device contains data identifying the sending device purportedly sending each said electronic message, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting to said confirming device by said sending device, data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device,

preparing, by said confirming device, an information record for each said electronic message sent by said sending device wherein each said information record contains data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device;

storing said information records by said confirming device;

transmitting, by said sending device, an electronic message to said receiving device;

receiving, by said receiving device, an electronic message sent by said sending device;

withholding the delivery to the intended recipient of said electronic message received by said receiving device;

locating, by said receiving device, within said received electronic message device, data identifying said received electronic message and data identifying said sending device from which the received electronic message is purported to have been sent, wherein said data identifying said received electronic message corresponds to said data identifying each electronic message sent by said sending device and stored by said confirming device in an information record;

preparing, by said receiving device, a confirmation request wherein said confirmation request contains data identifying said received electronic message wherein said data identifying said received electronic message corresponds to data identifying each electronic message sent by said sending device and stored by said confirming device in an information record and wherein said confirmation request contains data identifying said sending device from which the received electronic message is purported to have been sent;

transmitting, by said receiving device, said confirmation request to said confirming device;

receiving, by said confirming device, said confirmation request wherein said confirmation request contains data identifying an electronic message received by said receiving device and wherein said data identifying said received electronic message corresponds to data identifying an electronic message sent by said sending device and stored by said confirming device in an information record and wherein said confirmation request contains data identifying said sending device from which the received electronic message is purported to have been sent;

comparing, by said confirming device, data identifying said received electronic message with data in each said information record for said sending device purported to have sent said received electronic message to determine whether said received electronic message was transmitted by said sending device;

replying, by said confirming device, to said confirmation request, wherein said reply affirms that said received electronic message was sent by said sending device when said data identifying said received electronic message identifies an electronic message sent by said sending device and wherein said reply denies that said received electronic message was sent by said sending device when said data identifying said received electronic message in said confirmation request does not identify an electronic message sent by said sending device;

receiving, by said receiving device, a reply to said confirmation record, and;

making available for delivery, said received electronic message to said intended recipient when said reply to said confirmation record affirms that said sending device sent said received electronic message.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device comprises the date and time each said sent electronic message was prepared and the electronic address for the purported sender of each said sent electronic message and wherein said data identifying each said received electronic message received by said receiving device comprises the date and time said electronic message was prepared and the electronic address for the purported sender of said received electronic message.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device comprises the date and time each said sent electronic message was prepared, the electronic address for the purported sender of each said sent electronic message, and the electronic addresses for the intended recipients of each said sent electronic message and wherein said data identifying each said received electronic message received by said receiving device comprises the date and time said received electronic message was sent, the electronic address for the purported sender of said received electronic message, and the electronic addresses for the intended recipients of said received electronic message.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of transmitting a confirmation request by said receiving device further includes encrypting said confirmation request, the step of receiving said confirmation request by said confirming device includes decrypting said confirmation request, the step of replying to said confirmation request by said confirming device includes encrypting said reply, and the step of receiving said reply by said receiving device further includes decrypting said reply.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein the method further includes the steps of:

preparing, by said sending device and by applying an algorithm to each said electronic message sent by said sending device, an identification data string for each said electronic message sent by said sending device, and;

preparing, by said receiving device for said received electronic message, an identification data string for said received electronic message by applying said algorithm to said received electronic message, and;

wherein the step of transmitting to said confirming device by said sending device, data identifying each said electronic message sent by said sending device further includes transmitting said identification data string prepared for each said sent electronic message, wherein the step of preparing, by said confirming device, an information record for each said electronic message further comprises including each said identification data string in each said information record for each said sent electronic message and wherein the step of preparing, by said receiving device, a confirmation request further includes including said identification data string for said received electronic message in said confirmation request and wherein the step of comparing, by said confirming device, data identifying said received electronic message with data in each said information record further includes comparing said identification data string in said confirmation request with each said identification data string in each said information record for each said sent electronic message to determine whether said received electronic message was sent by said sending device.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the method further includes the step of appending to said electronic message transmitted by said sending device to said receiving device said identification data string prepared for said electronic message transmitted to said receiving device.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the step of transmitting a confirmation request by said receiving device further includes encrypting said confirmation request, the step of receiving said confirmation request by said confirming device includes decrypting said confirmation request, the step of replying to said confirmation request by said confirming device further includes encrypting said reply, and the step of receiving said reply by said receiving device further includes decrypting said reply.