Patent ID: 8583787

Claim:
A system for managing delivery of electronic messages from sending mail servers to destination mail servers, wherein the system comprises: a computer-processor-implemented message management server, wherein the message management server is configurable to: intercept at least one of the electronic messages from a sending mail server to a destination mail server; extract a source address and content from the electronic message; and automatically determine in real-time an action to take on the electronic message based on an examination of metadata associated with the source addresses of other electronic messages intercepted by the message management server and based on the analysis of metadata and the content of the electronic message, wherein the determination can be made, at least in part without reference to a promulgated database of spam or viruses associated with unwanted electronic messages; wherein the message management server is configurable to automatically update its rules regarding disposition of subsequent intercepted electronic message based in part on the determination of the electronic message.