METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USER DEFINED FILTERING OF COMMUNICATIONS TO ANONYMOUS USERS IN A COMPUTER NETWORK

摘要

A method and system for user-defined filtering of communications to anonymous users of a computer-based communications network. A user's true identity is shielded from all others having access to the network, thereby rendering the user anonymous. Users are formed into at least one user group. Communications from a commercial entity aimed at anonymous users who have opted to join the user group are received by a proxy (12) and transferred to those anonymous users who have opted to join the user group such that a user's true identity is not revealed to the commercial entity or any other users. The system comprises at least one user computer (10) connected to a network (20), at least one proxy server computer (12) connected to the network (20), a first computer executable routine running on the proxy computer (12) allowing users to join at least one pre-defined user group and a storage for recording user data.