Patent ID: 9591017
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: G06F,H04L

Claim:
1. A method for identifying and processing email messages received at a remote computing device in connection with a simulated phishing email campaign, comprising: generating, by a network device, a simulated phishing email, wherein the simulated phishing email is a non-malicious email that resembles a real phishing attack by attempting to lure an individual into performing a target action on the remote computing device, wherein the simulated phishing email comprises at least one embedded hyperlink, and wherein if the individual performs the target action, performance of the target action does not compromise the remote computing device or personal information of the individual; causing the simulated phishing email to be transmitted over a communications network to the remote computing device, the simulated phishing email comprising an identifying header, wherein the identifying header identifies the simulated phishing email as a non-malicious simulated phishing email sent by the network device; providing a plug-in for an email client at the remote computing device, the plug-in configurable for executing computer instructions for: receiving the notification over the communications network by the network device from the remote computing device; if the identified email is determined to be a known simulated phishing attack based on the comparison of the one or more headers of the identified email to stored information identifying at least one known simulated phishing attack, electronically recording data indicating that the email has been identified as a simulated phishing attack; if the identified email is determined not to be a known simulated phishing attack based on the comparison of the one or more headers of the identified email to stored information identifying at least one known simulated phishing attack, electronically recording data indicating that the email has been identified as a potential phishing attack; and causing the provisioning of an electronic training to the individual if the individual clicks on the embedded hyperlink in the simulated phishing email.