Abstract: Methods and apparatus for eliminating source-based routing are disclosed. Disclosed embodiments include a gateway device being disposed between an IP-compliant network and private network elements for receiving incoming access request packets from users desiring to access private network elements residing behind the device. The device may include proxy agents configured to discard any received access request packets that contain a source address corresponding to any of the private network elements residing behind the device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transparently managing outbound traffic from an internal user of a private network destined for a public network are disclosed. Embodiments include a firewall device operable between an internal user of a private network and an IP-compliant network. The firewall device being configured to assign a proxy agent to process a request by the internal user to form a connection with a public network element through the IP-compliant network. Disclosed embodiments include the proxy agent forming a connection only if the internal user is authorized to access the public requested network element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a firewall that achieves maximum network security and maximum user convenience. The firewall employs “envoys” that exhibit the security robustness of prior-art proxies and the transparency and ease-of-use of prior-art packet filters, combining the best of both worlds. No traffic can pass through the firewall unless the firewall has established an envoy for that traffic. Both connection-oriented (e.g., TCP) and connectionless (e.g., UDP-based) services may be handled using envoys. Establishment of an envoy may be subjected to a myriad of tests to “qualify” the user, the requested communication, or both. Therefore, a high level of security may be achieved. The usual added burden of prior-art proxy systems is avoided in such a way as to achieve fall transparency-the user can use standard applications and need not even know of the existence of the firewall. To achieve full transparency, the firewall is configured as two or more sets of virtual hosts.

Abstract: A web server for providing a pay-for-service web site is disclosed configured to execute an HTML front-end entry process configured for creating and storing a personal homepage for a owner. The web server is also configured to receive a fee for making the personal homepage accessible on a network.

Abstract: A web server is disclosed that is configured to host at least one home page for a fee. The web server is also configured to associate keywords with the home page to facilitate later location. The web server may also present a search result page responsive to a keyword search by a user containing results arranged in list form, each of the search results comprising a link to a corresponding fee-based full page entry stored in the web site having associated keywords similar to keywords used in the search. The web server will also present a fee-based full page entry responsive to request from the user to view one of a selected search results on the search result page.

Abstract: A web server for providing a dynamically-updating pay-for-service web site is disclosed. The web server includes an HTML front-end entry process configured to create and store personal homepage content in a database for a owner, receive a fee for making the personal homepage accessible on a network. The HTML front-end update process is also configured to allow the owner to update their personal homepage over a network.

Abstract: A web page for updating entries in a database is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a web page is disclosed for entering information received from a user into a database managed by the web site. The web site may be configured to associate the entered information with a database, present to the user a confirmation web page including an update icon for updating the database, and update the database with the information responsive to a received user click on the update icon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating online transactions are between users of a web site disclosed. Preferred embodiments include a web site configured to associate customer and purchase information corresponding to a user and completing an online transaction for items to be purchased when the user clicks on an icon. The items may be posted on the site by a different user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a searchable information system are disclosed. A networked computer hosting a web-accessible database containing content searchable by a networked user is provided. The computer is configured to associate content with keywords sponsored by an advertiser, and produce a set of results responsive to a keyword search by the user. The computer is also configured to determine which of the results are similar to at least one of the sponsored keywords, and present a search result page containing a listing arranged such that results similar to sponsored keywords are displayed as a sub-category on the search result page.

Abstract: A web page accessible by search engines is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a web page is provided having a URL and includes information desired to be displayed on the web. The web page further includes keywords associated with the web page. The keywords are accessible to remote search engines and facilitate the location and display of the web page for remote search engines.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a personalized home page on a web site are disclosed. Preferred embodiments include creating a personalized home page including desired content, and associating a user account on a web site with the home page, including the desired content and an associated user ID and password. The personalized web page may also be assigned an independent Universal Resource Locator (URL).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for electronically publishing information on a computer network are disclosed. A computer connected to a computer network is provided to host a database. The computer is configured receive a request from a user to electronically publish information on the computer network. The computer then may accept and store input from the user in a database. The computer may then electronically publish the user input by making information stored in the database freely accessible on the computer network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for confirming online transactions are disclosed. Preferred embodiments include a web site configured to associate customer and purchase information including an email address corresponding to a user. When a user completes an online transaction, an email confirming the purchase is sent to the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for cataloguing information on the World Wide Web. In a preferred embodiment, a computer having access to the Web is configured to receive information from a Web-traversing program configured to store information found at a link. The computer then stores and categorizes the information in a parent database. The database is then made available on the Web through a search engine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for classifying a search by keyword. A web-accessible database containing content searchable by a networked user is provided that associates keywords sponsored by an advertiser with content. A user may search the database by keyword, thereby producing a set of hypertext documents. A subset of the hypertext documents containing sponsored keywords are classified into categories corresponding to the keyword used by the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for displaying web-based search results. A networked computer hosting a web-accessible database containing content searchable by a networked user is provided. The computer is configured provide a variety of search functions to the user, and produce a set of results responsive to one of the search functions being invoked by the user. The computer is configured to display the results to the user arranged in categories responsive to the invoked search function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for updating personal financial information on a web site. Preferred methods include a web site configured for receiving a request from a user to update personal financial information on the web site, verifying the user's identity, and allowing financial information to be updated if the user's response contains a proper password.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for updating personalized user information on a home page. Preferred embodiments include a web site configured for receiving a request from a user to update personalized information on the home page, verifying the identity of the user utilizing a password, and allowing the personalized information to be updated if a proper password is received by the website.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for accessing a personalized content on a home page hosted on a web site. In preferred embodiments, the web site is configured to present a web page containing personalized content corresponding to a user if received identification information corresponds to an account on the host web site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a personalized home page on a web site are disclosed. Preferred embodiments include creating a personalized home page including desired content, and associating a user account on a web site with the home page, including the desired content and an associated user ID and password.