System and method for regulating electronic messages
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- receiving, by a system including a processor, a first input that specifies an identifier that is unique to an electronic message source;
receiving, by the system, a second input specifying target statistics for the electronic message source, wherein the target statistics operate as benchmarks for determining whether electronic messages received from the electronic message source are acceptable, the target statistics specifying a number of hops that an electronic mail message received has taken and an acceptable volume of electronic mail messages that may be received;
maintaining, by the system, message statistics related to electronic messages received from the electronic message source;
comparing, by the system, the message statistics to the target statistics; and
performing, by the system, an action with respect to an electronic message received from the electronic message source responsive to a determination, according to the comparing, that the message statistics for the electronic message source conflict with the target statistics for the electronic message source, the action comprising notifying a sender of the electronic message received that the message statistics for the electronic message source conflict with the target statistics for the electronic message source.
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Abstract
A system for regulating e-mail comprises a database of information profiling legitimate e-mail usage. When an e-mail is received at the system, it is scrutinized relative to the information in the database. If the e-mail is found to be legitimate based upon this evaluation, it is delivered to the intended recipient. If, however, the e-mail appears on the basis of the evaluation to be the last in a series of illegitimate e-mails or otherwise has characteristics inconsistent with the profile of legitimate e-mail usage, the e-mail may not be delivered and the postmaster and administrator at the source of the e-mail is contacted.
81 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, by a system including a processor, a first input that specifies an identifier that is unique to an electronic message source; receiving, by the system, a second input specifying target statistics for the electronic message source, wherein the target statistics operate as benchmarks for determining whether electronic messages received from the electronic message source are acceptable, the target statistics specifying a number of hops that an electronic mail message received has taken and an acceptable volume of electronic mail messages that may be received; maintaining, by the system, message statistics related to electronic messages received from the electronic message source; comparing, by the system, the message statistics to the target statistics; and performing, by the system, an action with respect to an electronic message received from the electronic message source responsive to a determination, according to the comparing, that the message statistics for the electronic message source conflict with the target statistics for the electronic message source, the action comprising notifying a sender of the electronic message received that the message statistics for the electronic message source conflict with the target statistics for the electronic message source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising; accessing inputs that specify an identifier that is unique to an electronic message source and that specify target statistics for the electronic message source, wherein the target statistics operate as benchmarks for determining whether electronic messages received from the electronic message source are acceptable, the target statistics specifying a number of hops that an electronic mail message received has taken and an acceptable volume of electronic mail messages that may be received; comparing message statistics to the target statistics, wherein the message statistics are related to electronic messages received from the electronic message source; and performing an action with respect to an electronic message received from the electronic message source responsive to a determination, according to the comparing, that the message statistics for the electronic message source conflict with the target statistics for the electronic message source, the action comprising notifying a sender of the electronic message received that the message statistics for the electronic message source conflict with the target statistics for the electronic message source. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A machine-readable storage device, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
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accessing inputs that specify an identifier that is unique to an electronic message source and that specify target statistics for the electronic message source, wherein the target statistics operate as benchmarks for determining whether electronic messages received from the electronic message source are acceptable; comparing message statistics to the target statistics, wherein the message statistics are related to electronic messages received from the electronic message source, the target statistics specifying a number of hops that an electronic mail message received has taken and an acceptable volume of electronic mail messages that may be received; and performing an action with respect to an electronic message received from the electronic message source responsive to a determination according to the comparing that the message statistics for the electronic message source conflict with the target statistics for the electronic message source, the action comprising notifying a sender of the electronic message that the message statistics for the electronic message source conflict with the target statistics for the electronic message source. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification