초록 ▼

A client-based filtering system compares portions of incoming and/or outgoing messages to filtering information in a filter database, and determines whether to block or allow incoming and/or outgoing transmissions of messages in response to the comparison. In response to a match between the portion

A client-based filtering system compares portions of incoming and/or outgoing messages to filtering information in a filter database, and determines whether to block or allow incoming and/or outgoing transmissions of messages in response to the comparison. In response to a match between the portion of the message and the filtering information, the system can employ one of a number of different specified blocking options. The system has an update server that is accessible over the Internet and that has new filtering information for updating the filter database. The filter database can have a filter database stored on a server in a network coupled to the client.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for communicating with servers over the Internet to prevent or allow access to Internet sites, the method comprising computer-implemented steps of:(a) opening a data stream to send a message through an interface to an Internet server;(b) maintaining a database of

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method for communicating with servers over the Internet to prevent or allow access to Internet sites, the method comprising computer-implemented steps of:(a) opening a data stream to send a message through an interface to an Internet server;(b) maintaining a database of filtering information comprising a table of filters, said table comprising(1) filters specifying immediate action, and(2) filters specifying deferred action;(c) comparing information in the message to filtering information in at least one of said filters specifying immediate action and said filters specifying deferred action; and(d) determining whether to prevent or allow the outgoing transmission of the message based on the comparison.