Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system and method for independently determining the geographical location of a user accessing a networked system. The method may include gathering a plurality of inputs about the user's geographic location; weighting each input based on whether said input identifies a likelihood of true geographic location; determining whether each input verifies a geographic location specified by the user; and summing weights of the input factors verifying the specified geographic location. A system for independently determining the geographical location of a user includes a user login routine, a heuristic user geographic location determination engine, and at least one data store including a user profile record having a user specified geographic location.

Abstract: 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.