Patent ID: 6986037
Filing Date: 2006-01-10
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. In an electronic mail (e-mail) system, a method for sending an e-mail message using a secured connection that employs encryption, the method comprising: receiving at a message transfer agent (MTA) a request from a client for establishing a secured connection with the MTA for sending an e-mail message; attempting to authenticate the client, through use of a certificate, in order to identify the client as approved for establishing a secured connection with the MTA; if the client cannot be authenticated, terminating the method without establishing the secured connection and without sending the e-mail message; if the client can be authenticated, establishing the secured connection between the client and the MTA; determining whether the encryption employed for the secured connection meets a predefined minimum encryption strength; if the encryption employed does not meet the predefined minimum encryption strength, terminating the secured connection without sending the e-mail message, whereupon the method terminates; and if the encryption employed does meet the predefined minimum encryption strength sending the e-mail message.