Pablo Stern

A method is disclosed for sending messages such as emails where the sender and receiver in the exchange remain anonymous to each other. The method uses a service, which may for example be an Internet service provider, which acts as an intermediary between a first party and second party to a message. All exchanges between the first and second parties pass through the service, which masks all true identities while ensuring that the message is routed to the proper recipient(s).

A delivery confirmation is provided to the sender of an e-mail message. When the e-mail message is composed, a link, such as a hyperlink, is inserted into the e-mail message, such as in the body or header. The link can include information such as a message identifier and identifiers of the sender and the recipient, which are provided as a query string of the link, while a host field of the link includes the address of an e-mail/web server. When the recipient receives the e-mail message and… Show more

A delivery confirmation is provided to the sender of an e-mail message. When the e-mail message is composed, a link, such as a hyperlink, is inserted into the e-mail message, such as in the body or header. The link can include information such as a message identifier and identifiers of the sender and the recipient, which are provided as a query string of the link, while a host field of the link includes the address of an e-mail/web server. When the recipient receives the e-mail message and opens it, the link is displayed along with text that instructs the user to use the link to confirm delivery. The confirmation can include displaying indicia for the e-mail message in a folder view on an interface of the sender, or sending a confirmation e-mail message to the sender, for instance. Voting by e-mail can also be provided. Show less

While interacting with a messaging interface, keywords or other search criteria are automatically identified and used to perform a search. Search results and sponsored links (or advertisements) are displayed to the user within the messaging interface. To alleviate privacy concerns, this process will not be performed unless the user has explicitly opted-in to the search feature. In another embodiment, the user can highlight keywords in an outbound or inbound message to trigger a search without… Show more

While interacting with a messaging interface, keywords or other search criteria are automatically identified and used to perform a search. Search results and sponsored links (or advertisements) are displayed to the user within the messaging interface. To alleviate privacy concerns, this process will not be performed unless the user has explicitly opted-in to the search feature. In another embodiment, the user can highlight keywords in an outbound or inbound message to trigger a search without leaving the messaging interface. In another embodiment, the user can input a search keyword or phrase to trigger a search without leaving the messaging interface. Show less

Email opt-out enforcement is described. Received email messages are processed based on trust levels associated with senders of the email messages, such that email from more trusted senders is not scrutinized as much as email from less trusted senders. When a user requests to opt-out or unsubscribe from a sender's mailings, a record of the user's opt-out request is maintained. If the sender continues to send email to the user subsequent to the opt-out request, the trust level associated with the… Show more

Email opt-out enforcement is described. Received email messages are processed based on trust levels associated with senders of the email messages, such that email from more trusted senders is not scrutinized as much as email from less trusted senders. When a user requests to opt-out or unsubscribe from a sender's mailings, a record of the user's opt-out request is maintained. If the sender continues to send email to the user subsequent to the opt-out request, the trust level associated with the sender is adjusted to reflect a lesser degree of trust in the sender. Show less

A multiple tier system is provided for classifying the safety level of an electronic message. The multiple tier system can include safety classification levels of safe, medium safe, and unsafe. Display settings associated with each safety level govern how messages are initially displayed to a user. A user interface distinguishes messages using a safety information interface. The safety information interface provides information about the message and allows a user to provide input regarding the… Show more

A multiple tier system is provided for classifying the safety level of an electronic message. The multiple tier system can include safety classification levels of safe, medium safe, and unsafe. Display settings associated with each safety level govern how messages are initially displayed to a user. A user interface distinguishes messages using a safety information interface. The safety information interface provides information about the message and allows a user to provide input regarding the desirability of the message. Upon receiving user input, the safety level of the message may be changed and other processing related to the message can be performed. The system also provides a mechanism for detecting and unsubscribing from a mailing list. Show less

Providing for proactive and/or active processing of message events is provided. Message event information received by the system is aggregated, a message event throttling policy is generated from the aggregated information and distributed globally. Subsequent message events are then processed using the global rules and/or policies as well as local policies. Message events from unrecognized senders are applied a default processing. Message events from known senders are applied a processing level… Show more

Providing for proactive and/or active processing of message events is provided. Message event information received by the system is aggregated, a message event throttling policy is generated from the aggregated information and distributed globally. Subsequent message events are then processed using the global rules and/or policies as well as local policies. Message events from unrecognized senders are applied a default processing. Message events from known senders are applied a processing level based on historical message event trends. Show less

A system and method for gathering data on unsolicited email messages delivered to non-existent accounts. The method may include the steps of receiving email for a subset of non-existent email recipient accounts on an email system; and gathering message data for at least a subset of said invalid recipient accounts. The system may include a messaging transfer agent; a dynamic trap engine; and a dynamic trap message data store.

Generation of anonymous aliases for on-line communications is described. In response to a user input to generate an anonymous alias, the anonymous alias is generated and associated with an established alias corresponding to the user, and an identification field in an on-line document is then determined and the anonymous alias is displayed in the identification field of the on-line document.