Delaying inbound and outbound email messages

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A computer implemented method for safeguarding users from unwanted bulk email messages (UBE) 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 matching one or more characteristics associated with unwanted bulk email messages (UBE); determining based on the characteristics exhibited by the message to delay the message; delaying the message for a delay period of time, said delaying includes determining an amount of the delay period according to the characteristics giving rise to the determination to delay the message, said amount of the delay period determined varies with the type of characteristics evaluated; 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; 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.