Patent ID: 9177293
Filing Date: 2015-11-03
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A spam filter method, comprising: (a) maintaining at least one automated database of permitted email addresses, and non-permitted email addresses; (b) automatically communicating between an automated spam filter processor and an automated email server, over a computer communication network, wherein email messages are received by the email server and email messages on the email server are available for retrieval by user email clients; (c) selectively automatically downloading email messages from the automated email server to the automated spam filter processor over the computer communication network using a retrieve mail protocol; (d) storing the automatically downloaded email messages from the email server, not corresponding to entries in the database of permitted email addresses in a memory associated with the automated spam filter processor; (e) removing email messages not corresponding to entries in the database of permitted email addresses from the automated email server, wherein email messages corresponding to entries in the database of permitted email addresses are maintained on the automated email server; (f) automatically sending a challenge email message, by the automated spam filter processor, in response to a stored email message automatically downloaded from the email server from email addresses which are not non-permitted email addresses, to the non-permitted email address; (g) monitoring the automated email server, by the automated spam filter processor, for receipt of an appropriate response email message to the challenge email message, and if an appropriate response email message to the challenge email message is received, adding the respective email address associated with the appropriate response email message to the automated database of permitted email addresses; (h) automatically restoring removed email messages from email addresses which become permitted, from the memory, by the automated spam filter processor, to the automated email server over the computer communication network using a send mail protocol; and (i) analyzing email messages downloaded by the automated spam filter from the automated email server to determine presence of a system email message, distinct from any appropriate response email message, containing a valid authorization code, and if the email message is determined to contain a valid authorization code, extracting and executing a command sequence communicated in the system email message, the communicated command sequence including recognized commands adapted to at least one of: disable at least a portion of the automated spam filter processor, and add at least one email address to the database of permitted email addresses independent of receipt of any appropriate response email message to the challenge email message.