Unsolicited electronic message source verification and tracking system and method
First Claim
1. An unsolicited e-mail internet protocol source address verification method comprising:
- receiving a request for authorization to forward an electronic mail message;
responding to said request for authorization to forward said electronic mail message, wherein a response to said request for authorization includes an authorization indicator that indicates a source of said request for authorization, wherein the authorization indicator is sent after authorization; and
handling receipt of said electronic mail message, including verifying a source address included in the received said electronic mail message against an address said authorization indicator is sent to.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An unsolicited electronic message source verification and tracking method and system for providing an efficient and convenient mechanism for tracking identification of unsolicited electronic message (e.g., e-mails) sources is presented. In one embodiment, a request for authorization to forward an electronic message is received. The request for authorization includes a request source address. A response is sent including an authorization indicator (e.g., a unique bit string) is sent to the request source address. An electronic message is received and a determination is made if the electronic message includes a valid authorization indictor. If the electronic message does include a valid authorization indicator the electronic message is associated with the request source address and the association is tracked. In one exemplary implementation, a source address included in the electronic message is compared to the request source address and discrepancies are noted.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An unsolicited e-mail internet protocol source address verification method comprising:
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receiving a request for authorization to forward an electronic mail message; responding to said request for authorization to forward said electronic mail message, wherein a response to said request for authorization includes an authorization indicator that indicates a source of said request for authorization, wherein the authorization indicator is sent after authorization; and handling receipt of said electronic mail message, including verifying a source address included in the received said electronic mail message against an address said authorization indicator is sent to. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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3. (canceled)
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10. (Canceled)
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11. A computer system comprising:
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a processor for processing information and instructions, including instructions for verifying and tracking a source of an unsolicited electronic message; and a memory for storing information and instructions, including instructions for verifying and tracking said source of said unsolicited electronic message and verifying an address of said source included in said unsolicited electronic message against an address an authorization indicator is sent to, wherein the authorization indicator is sent after authorization, said memory coupled to said processor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An unsolicited electronic message source tracking method comprising:
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obtaining a verification indication; and forwarding an unsolicited electronic message with said verification indication to an address said verification indication was sent from. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification