Abstract: A reputation server associates feedback from previous network transactions with an account of a user in a network. A reputation score for the user is calculated based on the feedback to indicate the probability the user will abuse the network. When an online service receives a request to perform a transaction from the user, the online service performs the transaction based on the user's reputation score. Additionally, a server generates a reputation packet including the reputation score for a user for use by an online service when the user requests the online service to perform a transaction. The online service may authenticate the reputation packet with the server and, if the reputation packet is authenticated, the online service performs the transaction based on the user's reputation score.

Abstract: A reputation server associates feedback from previous network transactions with an account of a user in a network. A reputation score for the user is calculated based on the feedback to indicate the probability the user will abuse the network. When an online service receives a request to perform a transaction from the user, the online service performs the transaction based on the user's reputation score. Additionally, a server generates a reputation packet including the reputation score for a user for use by an online service when the user requests the online service to perform a transaction. The online service may authenticate the reputation packet with the server and, if the reputation packet is authenticated, the online service performs the transaction based on the user's reputation score.

Abstract: A reputation server associates feedback from previous network transactions with an account of a user in a network. A reputation score for the user is calculated based on the feedback to indicate the probability the user will abuse the network. When an online service receives a request to perform a transaction from the user, the online service performs the transaction based on the user's reputation score. Additionally, a server generates a reputation packet including the reputation score for a user for use by an online service when the user requests the online service to perform a transaction. The online service may authenticate the reputation packet with the server and, if the reputation packet is authenticated, the online service performs the transaction based on the user's reputation score.

Abstract: A reputation server associates feedback from previous network transactions with an account of a user in a network. A reputation score for the user is calculated based on the feedback to indicate the probability the user will abuse the network. When an online service receives a request to perform a transaction from the user, the online service performs the transaction based on the user's reputation score. Additionally, a server generates a reputation packet including the reputation score for a user for use by an online service when the user requests the online service to perform a transaction. The online service may authenticate the reputation packet with the server and, if the reputation packet is authenticated, the online service performs the transaction based on the user's reputation score.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that enable communications to be established regardless of the presence of communications blockers, e.g., firewalls and NATs, in the path between two computing devices. Two devices each establish communications with a rendezvous service. Through the service, the devices signal each other to set up direct, peer-to-peer communications between themselves. If the devices fail to establish direct communications, then they invoke a relay service that provides the illusion of direct communications. In another aspect, an originating device attempts to establish communications with a recipient, using an address and port number associated with the recipient. If that attempts fails, possibly because a firewall is blocking communications, then the originating device retries using a port normally held open by firewalls. If this attempt also fails, then the originating device invokes the services of a proxy to negotiate a port acceptable for use by the recipient and by any intervening firewalls.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that enable communications to be established regardless of the presence of communications blockers, e.g., firewalls and NATs, in the path between two computing devices. Two devices each establish communications with a rendezvous service. Through the service, the devices signal each other to set up direct, peer-to-peer communications between themselves. If the devices fail to establish direct communications, then they invoke a relay service that provides the illusion of direct communications. In another aspect, an originating device attempts to establish communications with a recipient, using an address and port number associated with the recipient. If that attempts fails, possibly because a firewall is blocking communications, then the originating device retries using a port normally held open by firewalls. If this attempt also fails, then the originating device invokes the services of a proxy to negotiate a port acceptable for use by the recipient and by any intervening firewalls.