Patent ID: 7519674
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for processing an email message having message content and sent by a remote server in accordance with a communications protocol, the method comprising: (a) establishing a communications connection with the remote server; (b) exchanging a plurality of session messages defining a communications session with the remote server, at least some of which are separate from the message content; (c) accepting from the remote server session data pertaining to the communications connection, including information pertaining to at least one of the following: the remote server, the sender of the email message, the destination of the email message; (d) determining if the session data meets criteria associated with legitimate messages; (e) if the session data does not meet the criteria associated with the legitimate messages, testing the behavior of the remote server by sending to the remote server at least one stimulus signal configured to generate a machine-originated response from the remote server in accordance with the communications protocol to determine if the remote server is operation in accordance with the communications protocol, the testing initiated during the communications session; and (f) processing the communications connection in response to whether the remote server is operating in accordance with the communications protocol; wherein the at least one stimulus signal is one of a command and a reply, the format and content of which are specified by the communications protocol.