Address Couplet Filtering for Spam Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spam filtering techniques, particularly with IPv4, are inadequate in addressing the increasing burden of spam messages due to limited IP address space and the upcoming challenges of IPv6, which will make it harder to filter spam effectively as the number of Internet users grows.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an address couplet message filtering and switching system that checks inbound communications for valid 'from' and 'to' addresses, using hashed pairs to improve storage and processing efficiency, and applies additional filtering or processing techniques to discard unwanted messages while routing wanted communications efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional IP-based blacklisting is used for spam filtering, then filtering effectiveness is maintained under IPv4, but filtering becomes ineffective under IPv6 due to the vast address space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filtering approach from IP address-based filtering to email address-based filtering. Instead of blacklisting entire IP addresses (which becomes ineffective under IPv6), the system segments the identification unit to the specific email address level, allowing precise filtering regardless of the sender's IP address space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the filtering parameter from IP address to email address. This parameter change allows the system to maintain filtering effectiveness under IPv6 by using email addresses (which remain unique identifiers) instead of IP addresses (which become abundant and less useful for filtering in IPv6).
2Reliability
If comprehensive spam filtering is applied to all incoming messages, then spam blocking effectiveness is improved, but processing burden and system resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing early filtering based on white lists of approved address couplets before applying more resource-intensive filtering algorithms. Messages from approved sender-recipient pairs are accepted early in the process, while messages not on the white list are subjected to additional filtering, reducing overall processing burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing a two-tier filtering approach: a first layer using efficient white list matching for quick decisions, and a second layer applying more comprehensive filtering only to messages that pass through or fail the first layer. This avoids applying full filtering resources to every message.
3Reliability
If blacklists are maintained to block spam messages, then unwanted mail is reduced, but the system complexity and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional blacklist approach by using a white list of approved address couplets. Instead of maintaining a list of bad senders to block, the system maintains a list of good sender-recipient pairs to accept. This inversion simplifies the approach by focusing resources on identifying legitimate communication patterns rather than cataloging all possible spam sources.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed that provide an approved address couplet listing for communication handling. An inbound communication including sender and recipient field entries may be compared as a pair or couplet against the listing to determine whether the inbound communication should be discarded, subjected to additional (spam related) processing, or forwarded for storage or delivery purposes. The comparison may take place in conjunction with one or more hashing functions.