Abstract: A first user at a first computing device communicates with a second user at a second computing device. Both devices communicate in real-time via a network service such as in instant messaging service. The network service upon request of the one of the users can transfer the real-time communication session between the first user and the second user to a third user. The third user adopts the identity of the transferring user for the course of the communication session. This would be useful to transfer a communication session regarding an illegal subject to a law enforcement agency.

Abstract: The ability to manage and use a group distribution list by sending command codes in messages sent via a short messaging service is provided for. Management and usage may include receiving an SMS message having a command code, interpreting the message to retrieve the command code, and executing the command code. A system for managing and using a distribution list may include a short messaging service, and a group distribution list manager configured to receive a message via the short messaging service, interpret the message to retrieve a command code contained within the message, and execute the command code. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions for managing and using group distribution lists may include instructions that interpret a short messaging service message, wherein the message contains a command code, retrieve the command code, and execute the command code.

Abstract: A first user at a first computing device communicates with a second user at a second computing device. Both devices communicate in real-time via a network service such as in instant messaging service. The network service upon request of the one of the users can transfer the real-time communication session between the first user and the second user to a third user. The third user adopts the identity of the transferring user for the course of the communication session. This would be useful to transfer a communication session regarding an illegal subject to a law enforcement agency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying undesired e-mail messages by receiving e-mail messages, storing fields from the headers of the received e-mail messages and analyzing the stored fields for patterns indicative of undesired e-mail messages. The pattern recognition performed includes counting the number of e-mails received which have the same or similar field content within the headers. This number can be compared to an absolute threshold number, or to the total number of messages in a sample of e-mail messages. The sample may be composed of a predetermined number of received e-mail messages, or may include e-mail messages received during a predetermined time interval. Exceeding thresholds or certain ratios will trigger alarms to alert monitoring functions and update lists of known sources and types of undesired e-mail messages for filtering.