Patent ID: 8826450

Claim:
A network device, comprising: a transceiver to send and receive data over a network; and a processor that receives data from and sends data to the transceiver, and performs actions, including: receiving registration information associated with a request to create an account for sending a message over a network, wherein the registration information includes at least a username having a plurality of characters; determining statistics about at least the username during an initial registration of the account; assigning a probability score to the request based in part on a comparison of the statistics to one or more previously determined statistics of characters in other usernames that have an associated probability value of being registered for abusive sending of messages and a degree of similarity of at least a portion of the registration information to at least a portion of multiple other account registration information provided for registering at least another account within a defined time period; classifying the request as seeking registration for an account for the abusive sending of messages if the assigned probability score exceeds a predetermined threshold; and if the request is classified as seeking registration for abusive sending of messages, inhibiting use of the requested account; otherwise, enabling use of the requested account for sending of at least one message over the network.