Method and system for filtering communication

摘要

An e-mail relay provides message filtering services to an e-mail network. The e-mail relay monitors incoming communication and intercepts e-mail messages. The e-mail relay compares attributes of the messages to data derived from SPAM messages, which are stored in a SPAM database. The e-mail relay restricts the delivery of messages based on the comparison such as by restricting the delivery of messages having attributes close to those of SPAM messages from the SPAM database. The SPAM database is constructed by responding to user or administrator indications as to whether received messages are SPAM messages.

主权项

1. A method of reducing a flow of unwanted electronic messages, the method comprising:
receiving electronic messages at a relay; supplying an intended recipient of an electronic message with an alternate message that allows the intended recipient to specify that the electronic message is unwanted, wherein the alternate message includes a URL that if selected by the intended recipient allows the intended recipient to specify that the electronic message is unwanted, and wherein the URL is unique to the electronic message; storing the electronic message in a message store, wherein the message store stores electronic messages; receiving a URL submission from the intended recipient, wherein the URL submission is responsive to the intended recipient's selection of the URL, and wherein the URL submission is an indication that the electronic message is unwanted; responsive to specification by the intended recipient that the electronic message is unwanted, prompting the intended recipient to classify the electronic message according to at least one of a plurality of pre-established categories; and responsive to receiving the URL submission, retrieving the electronic message from the message store and adding information corresponding to the electronic message to a message database.