Delaying Inbound And Outbound Email Messages

• US 20110246583A1
• Filed: 04/01/2010
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Bidgoli, Mehrdad, Walter, Jason D., Gillum, Eliot C., Vitaldevara, Krishna C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,745,143 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]

Abstract

A computer implemented system and method to enable protection of email users from unsolicited bulk email using a message delivery delay based on characteristics detected in selected messages. Messages are evaluated for characteristics resembling unsolicited bulk email. A determination is made whether a message passing through the email system exhibits such characteristics and whether to delay the message. Suspect messages may be delayed for a period of time, the delay period being dependent on the characteristics giving rise to a determination to delay. Following the period, additional information received during the delay period characterizing the message is used to determine whether to dispose or deliver the message. Messages evaluated can be inbound to the email system, outbound to other email systems, or moving within the email system.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for safeguarding users from unsolicited bulk email in an email system, the method comprising:

monitoring messages passing through the email system;

determining whether a message passing through the email system exhibits characteristics resembling unsolicited bulk email;

determining based on the characteristics to delay the message;

delaying the message for a delay period of time, the delay period being dependent on the characteristics giving rise to a determination to delay;

determining whether to deliver the message based on additional information received during the delay period characterizing the message;

disposing of the message based on the determining step.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of disposing includes one of:

delaying the message for a second delay period and determining whether to deliver the message based on addition information received during the second delay period;

delivering the message;

or

destroying the message.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of monitoring includes:

monitoring messages received from senders external to the email system and received by the email system;

monitoring messages generated by users of the email system and destined for recipients external to the email system; and

monitoring messages received from users of the email system and destined for other users of the email system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristics comprise one or more of:

sender information recipient information;

message specific characteristics;

and a random sampling.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the delay period varies with the type of characteristic evaluated.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the method further includes queuing the message during the delaying period

7. A computer implemented method for safeguarding users from unsolicited bulk email in an email system, the method comprising:

monitoring messages passing through the email system;

detecting a plurality of messages passing through the email system exhibiting characteristics resembling unsolicited bulk email;

determining based on the characteristics to delay at least a portion of the plurality of messages;

delaying at least the portion of the plurality of messages for a delay period, the delay period dependent on the characteristics giving rise to a determination to delay;

determining whether to deliver the plurality of messages based on additional information characterizing the messages received during the delay period;

disposing of the plurality messages based on the determining step.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein delaying at least a portion includes delaying all messages having identical characteristics.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein delaying at least a portion includes delaying a fraction of all messages having identical characteristics.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein determining whether to deliver the plurality of messages includes using additional information comprising feedback on a fraction of the messages not delayed.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the additional information includes one of user action feedback or message delivery information.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of disposing includes one of:

delaying the messages for a second delay period and determining whether to deliver the message based on addition information received during the second delay period;

delivering the messages;

or

destroying the messages.

13. A computer implemented method for safeguarding users from unsolicited bulk email in an email system, the email system including an inbound mail server, an outbound mail server and an internal mail server, the method comprising:

monitoring messages passing through the email system at each of the inbound, outbound and internal mail servers;

determining whether a group of messages passing through the email system exhibit identical characteristics resembling unsolicited bulk email;

determining based on the characteristics to delay at least a portion of the group of messages;

delaying at least the portion of the group of messages for a delay period of time, the amount of the delay period depending on the characteristics giving rise to a determination to delay;

determining whether to deliver the group of messages based on additional information received during the delay period on whether the characteristics indicate the message is UBE;

disposing of the message based on the determining step.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the characteristics comprise one or more of:

sender information recipient information;

message specific characteristics;

and a random sampling.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the delay period varies with the type of characteristic evaluated.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein delaying at least a portion includes delaying all messages having identical characteristics.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein delaying at least a portion includes delaying a fraction of all messages having identical characteristics.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein determining whether to deliver the plurality of messages includes using additional information comprising feedback on a fraction of the messages not delayed.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the additional information includes one of user action feedback or message delivery information.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of disposing includes one of:

delaying the messages for a second delay period and determining whether to deliver the message based on addition information received during the second delay period;

delivering the messages;

or

destroying the messages.