Method and system for filtering electronic messages

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for filtering unsolicited electronic commercial messages. A system and method according to the present invention for screening out unsolicited commercial messages comprises the steps of receiving a message from a sender, sending a challenge back to the sender, receiving a response to the challenge, and determining if the response is a proper response.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to the receipt of electronic messages, via the Internet for example, and more particularly, to a system and method for filtering unsolicited electronic commercial messages.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]By taking advantage of the growing popularity of the Internet, a user can send messages to a receiver located virtually anywhere in the world. There are a number of advantages to sending messages via electronic mail (email) rather than through the U.S. Postal Service. By using email, it may take only seconds for the sender's message to be received by a receiver on the other side of the world. The receiver can read the sender's text immediately on the screen, respond to it right away, save it for later, print it, or quickly forward it to another receiver. Messages a user receives can be organized into convenient electronic folders and saved for as long as the user wishes without taking up office space. Due to these ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

A user receiving several of these commercial messages can easily expend valuable time, resources and mental aggravation.

Unfortunately, the junk email sending community has generally adapted to and overcome each one.

An attempt to request the advertiser to stop soliciting the user is typically severely hindered since it is common practice for advertisers to either not provide a reply address or to make up a false reply address.

Spammers who do provide valid reply information are often unresponsive to requests to desist.

However, since it is relatively simple for an advertiser to access a server virtually anywhere in the world in order to send his unsolicited commercial message to anywhere else in the world, U.S. legislation may have, at best, a limited effect on the problem.

However, since most unsolicited commercial messages are sent to thousands of people at a given time, it is quite likely that the advertisers would never see the notice.

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