System and method for regulating electronic messages
First Claim
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1. A method for regulating electronic messages comprising:
- registering an electronic message source;
maintaining a profile associated with the electronic message source, the profile comprising a first target statistics value associated with the electronic message source;
receiving an electronic message from a source;
updating a statistics value related to the source of the electronic message received;
if the source of the electronic message received is the electronic message source that has been registered;
comparing the statistics value updated to the first target statistics value; and
taking a remedial action with respect to the electronic message received if the statistics value updated conflicts with the first target statistics value; and
if the source of the electronic message received is not the electronic message source that has been registered;
identifying a source category to which the source of the electronic message received is related;
accessing a second target statistics value associated with the source category;
comparing the statistics value updated to the second target statistics value; and
taking a second remedial action if the statistics value updated conflicts with the second target statistics value.
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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.
45 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for regulating electronic messages comprising:
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registering an electronic message source; maintaining a profile associated with the electronic message source, the profile comprising a first target statistics value associated with the electronic message source; receiving an electronic message from a source; updating a statistics value related to the source of the electronic message received; if the source of the electronic message received is the electronic message source that has been registered; comparing the statistics value updated to the first target statistics value; and taking a remedial action with respect to the electronic message received if the statistics value updated conflicts with the first target statistics value; and if the source of the electronic message received is not the electronic message source that has been registered; identifying a source category to which the source of the electronic message received is related; accessing a second target statistics value associated with the source category; comparing the statistics value updated to the second target statistics value; and taking a second remedial action if the statistics value updated conflicts with the second target statistics value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer program instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
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registering an electronic message source; maintaining a profile associated with the electronic message source, the profile comprising a first target statistics value associated with the electronic message source; receiving an electronic message from a source; updating a statistics value related to the source of the electronic message received; if the source of the electronic message received is the electronic message source that has been registered; comparing the statistics value updated to the first target statistics value; and taking a remedial action with respect to the electronic message received if the statistics value updated conflicts with the first target statistics value; and if the source of the electronic message received is not the electronic message source that has been registered; identifying a source category to which the source of the electronic message received is related; accessing a second target statistics value associated with the source category; comparing the statistics value updated to the second target statistics value; and taking a second remedial action if the statistics value updated conflicts with the second target statistics value. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor; and a memory to store computer program instructions, the computer program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising; registering an electronic message source; maintaining a profile associated with the electronic message source, the profile comprising a first target statistics value associated with the electronic message source; receiving an electronic message from a source; updating a statistics value related to the source of the electronic message received; if the source of the electronic message received is the electronic message source that has been registered; comparing the statistics value updated to the first target statistics value; and taking a remedial action with respect to the electronic message received if the statistics value updated conflicts with the first target statistics value; and if the source of the electronic message received is not the electronic message source that has been registered; identifying a source category to which the source of the electronic message received is related; accessing a second target statistics value associated with the source category; comparing the statistics value updated to the second target statistics value; and taking a second remedial action if the statistics value updated conflicts with the second target statistics value. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification