Patent ID: 8468208

Claim:
A method of blocking e-mails, the method comprising the steps of: generating a filter rule to block a first e-mail from a source of the first e-mail for a first predetermined period, and setting a second predetermined period that extends beyond the first predetermined period, and if a second e-mail is received from the source during the first predetermined period, blocking the second e-mail based on the filter rule, if a third e-mail is received from the source after an end of the first predetermined period but before an end of the second predetermined period, a computer (a) setting a third predetermined period to block subsequent e-mails from the source, the third predetermined period extending approximately from a time that the third e-mail is received for a duration longer than a duration of the first predetermined period, and (b) setting a fourth predetermined period to extend beyond an end of the third predetermined period such that if a fourth e-mail is received from the source after an end of the third predetermined period but before an end of the fourth predetermined period, the computer setting a fifth predetermined period to block subsequent e-mails from the source, the fifth predetermined period extending approximately from a time that the fourth e-mail is received for a duration longer than the duration of the third predetermined period; and if no e-mail is received from the source during the first and second predetermined periods, the computer disabling the filter rule such that if a subsequent e-mail is received from the source, the e-mail is forwarded to its intended destination.