Patent ID: 8010609
Filing Date: 2011-08-30
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: a computer system receiving, from a server, a safe list of safe IP addresses, wherein the computer system is configured to accept email messages having IP addresses included in the safe list; the computer system receiving, from the server, a suspect list of suspect IP addresses, wherein the computer system is configured to block email messages having IP addresses included in the suspect list; the computer system receiving, from the server, an open proxy list, wherein the open proxy list includes IP addresses only of proxy servers that have been identified as currently being configured to have open mail relays, wherein the open proxy list includes first and second IP addresses corresponding to first and second proxy servers, respectively, and wherein the open proxy list also specifies designated actions for mail received via the first and second proxy servers; the computer system receiving a plurality of email messages that includes a first email message and a second email message; the computer system filtering the plurality of email messages, wherein the filtering includes: the computer system receiving an updated open proxy list from the server, wherein the updated open proxy list has been updated by removing IP addresses of proxy servers that have been closed or reconfigured.