Communication Abuse Prevention

• US 20100180333A1
• Filed: 01/15/2009
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bauman, Thomas R., Wu, Dan, Bono, Joseph Andrew, Steinbok, Jeffrey E., Hash, Eileen S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,255,987 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/13
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/145 the attack involving the propagation of malware through the network, e.g. viruses, trojans or worms

Abstract

Communication abuse prevention techniques are described. In an implementation, a reputation level for a communication is determined based on relation information for a sender and an intended recipient of the communication. A challenged is invoked that is to be completed by the sender before the communication is sent. The challenge is selected based on the reputation level for the communication.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a reputation level for a communication based on relation information for a sender and an intended recipient of the communication; and

invoking a challenge, selected based on the reputation level, that is to be completed by the sender before the communication is sent.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the challenge comprises a human interaction proof.

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the challenge limits a number of communications that can be sent by the sender based on the reputation level.

4. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising scanning data that forms the communication for malware when the reputation level does not meet a specified reputation level.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein relation information is obtained from multiple types of communication mediums.

6. A method as described in claim 5, wherein the multiple types of communication mediums include one or more of:

a posting,

an electronic mail communication,

a private system message,

an instant message,

a social network communication, or

a web comment.

7. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the challenge is further selected based on a number of recipients targeted by the communication.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the challenge is further selected based on a number of previous communications that are sent by the sender within a time period.

9. One or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that are executable to generate an abuse prevention service that is operable to:

iterate determination of a reputation level for a communication based on information associated with a sender and an intended recipient of the communication; and

inhibit access to the communication responsive to a change in reputation level between two said reputation level determinations that occur before the communication is accessed by the intended recipient.

10. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 9, wherein is the abuse prevention service is configured to inhibit access to the communication by performing one or more of:

deleting the communication,

recalling the communication,

blocking delivery of the communication to the intended recipient,

restoring a web content to a condition prior to the communication, or

hiding the communication.

11. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 9, wherein the change in reputation level is based on negative feedback associated with another communication from the sender.

12. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 9, wherein the abuse prevention service is further configured for use with multiple types of communication mediums.

13. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 9, wherein the information comprises relation information.

14. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 9, wherein the change in reputation level is a result of negative feedback reported for another communication sent using a communication medium other than a communication medium used for the communication.

15. One or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that are executable to:

check a reputation level for a communication with a specified reputation level designated by an intended recipient of the communication, in which the reputation level is based on relation information for a sender and the intended recipient of the communication; and

invoke a challenge, selected according to the specified reputation level, that is to be completed by the sender before the communication is made accessible to the intended recipient when the sender and intended recipient do not have a preexisting relationship.

16. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 15, wherein the instructions are further executable to send the communication without the challenge when the sender and the intended recipient have a preexisting relationship.

17. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 15, wherein the challenge comprises a human interaction proof.

18. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 17, wherein the instructions are further executable to select the human interaction proof based on a number of intended recipients that are targeted to receive the communication.

19. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 17, wherein the instructions are further executable to select the human interaction proof based on a number of previous communications that are sent by the sender within a time period.

20. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 18, wherein the instructions are further executable to base the reputation level on information associated with the sender.