JP2009093573A - E-mail management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an e-mail management system capable of performing an unwanted mail countermeasure even while saving effort and time. <P>SOLUTION: The e-mail management system for screening a transmitted e-mail by using a computer is provided with a means by which the computer registers a plurality of prescribed users as a group, a means for registering a list for discriminating unwanted mails, and a screening means for sharing the list for discriminating the unwanted mails in the group to screen the transmitted e-mails. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an e-mail management system, and more particularly to an e-mail management system that can take measures against spam mail.

  Recently, the spread of electronic mail using personal computers and mobile phones has been remarkable and is being used on a daily basis.

  However, in such electronic mail, there is a problem of the presence of junk mail that is sent unilaterally even though the recipient does not need it.

  These spam mails include contents that cannot be read, those that send many mails, and those that are infected with a virus. Countermeasures against this spam mail are very important for the recipient.

  Conventionally, as a countermeasure against spam mail, an email address that has been found not to be a sender sending spam email is registered in advance, and e-mail is received from this registered email address. You can register in advance a whitelist method that allows emails and email addresses that are known to be spammer senders, and send emails from this registered email address. A black list method for rejecting reception is known. Also, the blacklist method is a method for analyzing and scoring “like spam” based on the name of the drug in the body of the email and the number of URLs written on adult sites, etc. Sometimes used together as an auxiliary (see Non-Patent Document 1, Non-Patent Document 2, Non-Patent Document 3, and Non-Patent Document 4).

Introducing anti-spam measures [CA Anti-Spam 2007], [online] Vector, Inc. [searched September 11, 2007], Internet <URL: http://shop.vector.co.jp/service/catalogue / ca_2007 / 02eas / ＞ Introducing anti-spam measures [King Soft Anti-Spam 2007], [online], King Soft Co., Ltd., Nasca Co., Ltd. [Search September 11, 2007], Internet <URL: http://www.nazca.co .jp / virus / kingsoft_internet_security / kingsoft_anti_spam_2007.html> Introduction of anti-spam measures [Mail Security for SMTP], [online], Symantec Corporation, [searched on September 11, 2007], Internet <URL: http://eval.symantec.com/mktginfo/en/jp /enterprise/fact_sheets/sms_smtp.pdf> Introducing anti-spam measures [Mail Security for SMTP], [online], Iron Port Systems Co., Ltd., Soliton Systems, Inc., [September 11, 2007 search], Internet <URL: http: //www.soliton. co.jp/products/cseries/pdf/IronPort_C_series_catalogue.pdf>

  However, the conventional spam mail countermeasures as described above have the following problems.

  In other words, the conventional blacklist-type spam mail countermeasures analyze the likelihood of spam from the text of the mail, and if it is judged to be spam, a message to that effect is displayed or the sender refuses to receive it. The email address is registered in a blacklist, and the conventional whitelist-type spam mail countermeasure is to register the sender email addresses that are allowed to be received in the whitelist. It is very time-consuming and time-consuming, and in the case of analyzing the likelihood of junk e-mail from the text of an e-mail, even if it is displayed as junk e-mail, it is ultimately necessary to judge by the recipient Yes, it was insufficient as a countermeasure against spam mail.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic mail management system capable of taking measures against spam mails while saving labor and time.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an e-mail management system for selecting e-mails transmitted using a computer, wherein the computer registers a plurality of predetermined users as a group, It is characterized by comprising means for registering a list for identifying mail and sorting means for selecting e-mails sent by sharing the list for identifying junk mail within the group.

  In the invention according to claim 1, the list for judging the junk mail is a black list that is a list of e-mail addresses to be rejected and a white list that is a list of e-mail addresses that are permitted to be received. Features.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the email management system which can perform a spam mail countermeasure can be provided, saving a labor and time.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an electronic mail management system according to the present invention.

  In the electronic mail management system according to the present embodiment, the user operates the terminal device to connect to the Internet and transmits / receives electronic mail, and the user terminal device communicates with the database server.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic mail management system according to the present embodiment includes a database server 1 and personal computers 3 a, 3 b, and 4 a as terminal devices, and is connected by a network 2. The personal computers 3a, 3b, and 4a are connected to the network 10 and receive e-mails from the personal computers 7, 8, and 9 as terminal devices via the mail server 5 or 6. In FIG. 1, three personal computers 3a, 3b, and 4a are shown as terminal devices, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be one or more.

  In FIG. 1, the network 10 is, for example, the Internet. In the present embodiment, a case where an electronic mail using the Internet is targeted will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a cellular phone network is used. It goes without saying that it can also be applied to e-mail.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the database server 1 shown in FIG.

  The database server 1 includes a network connection unit 14 that is an interface with the network 2 shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 11 such as a CPU or MPU that controls the operation of the entire database server 1, and an operation performed on the database server 1 by an operator. The input / output means 12 for inputting instructions and the like, the database server 1 displaying and outputting various information to the operator, the programs and parameters necessary for the operation of the database server 1, and the present embodiment A software program that executes operations related to the electronic mail management system and a storage unit 13 that stores various tables described below are configured. As the input / output means 12, for example, a keyboard or a mouse is used for input, and a display device or the like is used for output.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the personal computer 3a shown in FIG.

  Since the personal computers 3a and 3b shown in FIG. 1 have the same basic configuration relating to the present embodiment, the personal computer 3a will be described as a representative here.

  The personal computer 3a includes a network connection unit 34a that is an interface with the network 2 shown in FIG. 1, a network connection unit 35a that is an interface with the network 10 shown in FIG. 1, and a CPU that controls the operation of the entire personal computer 3a. Necessary for the operation of the control means 31a such as MPU, the input / output means 32a for the user to input operations and instructions to the personal computer 3a, the personal computer 3a to display and output various information to the user, and the personal computer 3a Storage means 33a for storing various programs and parameters, a software program for executing operations related to the electronic mail management system of the present embodiment, and the like. As the input / output means 32a, for example, a keyboard or a mouse is used for input, and a display device or the like is used for output.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the personal computer 4a shown in FIG.

  The personal computer 4a includes a network connection unit 44a that is an interface with the network 2 shown in FIG. 1, a network connection unit 45a that is an interface with the network 10 shown in FIG. Necessary for the operation of the control means 41a such as an MPU, the input / output means 42a for the user to input operations and instructions to the personal computer 4a, the personal computer 4a to display and output various information to the user, and the personal computer 4a Storage means 43a for storing various programs and parameters, a software program for executing operations related to the electronic mail management system of the present embodiment, and the like. As the input / output means 42a, for example, a keyboard or a mouse is used for input, and a display device or the like is used for output.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mail server 5 shown in FIG.

  The mail servers 5 and 6 shown in FIG. 1 have the same basic configuration related to hardware, and therefore the mail server 5 will be described as a representative here.

  The mail server 5 includes a network connection unit 54 that is an interface with the network 10 shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 51 such as a CPU and MPU that controls the operation of the entire mail server 5, and an operator operating the mail server 5. , An input / output means 52 for inputting instructions and the like, and displaying / outputting various information to the operator by the mail server 5, and a storage means 53 for storing programs and parameters necessary for the operation of the mail server 5. And is configured. As the input / output means 52, for example, a keyboard or a mouse is used for input, and a display device or the like is used for output.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the personal computer 7 shown in FIG.

  Since the personal computers 7, 8 and 9 shown in FIG. 1 have the same basic configuration related to the present embodiment, the personal computer 6 will be described as a representative here.

  The personal computer 7 includes a network connection means 74 that is an interface with the network 10 shown in FIG. 1, a control means 71 such as a CPU and an MPU for controlling the operation of the whole personal computer 7, and a user's operations and instructions for the personal computer 7. Input / output means 72 for inputting, displaying or outputting various information to the user by the personal computer 7, and storage means 73 for storing programs and parameters necessary for the operation of the personal computer 7. The As the input / output means 72, for example, a keyboard or a mouse is used for input, and a display device or the like is used for output.

  Next, the operation of the electronic mail management system according to this embodiment will be described.

  According to the electronic mail management system of the present embodiment, a user who operates the personal computers 3a, 3b, 4a receives the electronic mail transmitted from the personal computers 7, 8, 9 through the mail server 5 or 6. At that time, the received mail is narrowed down based on the list stored in the database server. This will be described in detail below.

  First, the table configuration will be described.

  7 is a diagram showing an example of a table used in the e-mail management system shown in FIG. 1. (a) is an example of a user registration table, (b) is an example of a group registration table, and (c ) Is an example of a black list table, and (d) is an example of a white list table.

  In the present embodiment, the tables in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are stored in the storage unit 13 of the database server 1 and updated as necessary.

  The user registration table in FIG. 7A is a table used for user authentication by registering users of the e-mail management system of this embodiment in advance.

  The group registration table in FIG. 7B is a table for registering registered users by grouping the registered users.

  The black list table in FIG. 7C is a table for registering sender email addresses whose reception is refused.

  The white list table in FIG. 7D is a table for registering sender email addresses that are permitted to be received.

  Next, the process flow will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the electronic mail management system illustrated in FIG. 1, and is a flowchart illustrating a process for registering a user.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for explaining the operation of the electronic mail management system illustrated in FIG. 1, and is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of processing for updating the black list and the white list.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart for explaining the operation of the e-mail management system illustrated in FIG. 1, and is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of processing for selecting received mail.

  First, with reference to FIG. 8, a user who uses the e-mail management system of the present embodiment is registered in advance in the user registration table of FIG. 7A (A-1). Items to be registered are, for example, a user ID unique to each user, a password used for authentication of the user, a mail address of the user, and the like.

  If the user registration is completed, the user is registered in the group registration table of FIG. 7B (A-2). In this embodiment, each user is divided into groups, and each group shares a black list and white list. In the group registration table of FIG. 7B, the user ID of each user and the group ID of the group to which the user belongs are associated and registered.

  In this user registration and group registration, for example, the administrator may operate the personal computers 3a, 3b, and 4a to update the table by communicating with the database server 1, or the administrator may use the input / output means 12 of the database server 1. The table may be updated by operating.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a user registered by the process of FIG. 8 receives user authentication (B-1). This user authentication may be performed by the personal computers 3a, 3b, and 4a in the personal computers 3a, 3b, and 4a after acquiring the user registration table from the database server 1, or may be performed by the database server 1.

  If the user authentication is successful, the user updates the black list table in FIG. 7C and the white list table in FIG. 7D as necessary (B-2).

  When each user knows the mail address of the sender who sends the spam mail, he / she registers the sender mail address in the black list table of FIG. Also, when the sender's mail address for sending the necessary mail is known, the sender mail address is registered in the white list table of FIG.

  In the black list table and the white list table, the group ID of the group to which the registered user belongs is also associated and registered. By doing so, the black list and the white list are shared in the group, and the contents registered by someone in the group can be used by others in the group, and the efficiency of registration can be improved.

  In addition, the user ID of the registered user is also registered in the black list table and the white list table in association with each other. By doing so, each user is responsible for the registered content, and the reliability of the registered content can be improved.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an operation at the time of mail reception will be described.

  In the present embodiment, a user whose user ID is “AA” operates the personal computer 3a, a user whose user ID is “BB” operates the personal computer 3b, and a user whose user ID is “CC” is the personal computer 3c. Shall be operated.

  For example, the user whose user ID is “AA” operates the personal computer 3a and inquires of the mail server of his / her mail address of the mail servers 5 and 6 whether there is a received mail (C-1).

  If there is no received mail (C-2), the process is terminated as it is. When there is a received mail (C-2), the personal computer 3a communicates with the database server 1 and performs user authentication (C-3).

  The database server 1 records a record corresponding to the group ID of the group to which the user authenticated in step (C-3) belongs from the black list table in FIG. 7C and the white list table in FIG. Is extracted, and the black list and white list used by the group are acquired and transmitted to the personal computer 3a (C-4). As other processing, the database server 1 may simply transmit the table to the personal computer 3a, and the record extraction processing or the like may be performed by the personal computer 3a.

  The personal computer 3a collates (C-5) the sender address of the received mail obtained by the inquiry in step (C-1) with the mail address of the black list acquired in step (C-4). Receiving the electronic mail is rejected (C-6). In step (C-6), the mail may be received without refusal and stored in the junk mail folder.

  If not in the black list, the sender address of the received mail by the inquiry in step (C-1) is collated with the mail address in the white list acquired in step (C-4) (C-7), and if they match The electronic mail is received and stored in the reception folder (C-8).

  If it is not in the white list, it is unclear whether it is a junk mail or a necessary mail, so the electronic mail is received and stored in the hold folder (C-9).

  The e-mail stored in the hold folder is checked by the user himself / herself, and when it is determined whether the e-mail is junk mail or necessary mail, the sender address is obtained by the process shown in FIG. Are registered in the black list table of FIG. 7C or the white list table of FIG. 7D.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the electronic mail management system by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the database server 1 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the personal computer 3a shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the personal computer 4a shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the mail server 5 shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the personal computer 7 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the table used with the electronic mail management system shown in FIG. 1, (a) is an example of a user registration table, (b) is an example of a group registration table, (c) is a black list. It is an example of a table, (d) is an example of a white list table. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining operation | movement of the electronic mail management system shown in FIG. 1, and is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process which registers a user. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining operation | movement of the electronic mail management system shown in FIG. 1, and is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process which updates a black list and a white list. It is a figure which shows the flowchart explaining operation | movement of the electronic mail management system shown in FIG. 1, and is a figure which shows the flowchart of the process which screens a received mail.

Explanation of symbols

1 Database server 2 Network 3a, 3b, 4a Personal computer 5, 6 Mail server 7, 8, 9 Personal computer

Claims (2)

In an e-mail management system that uses a computer to select sent e-mails,
E-mail sent by the computer in which a plurality of predetermined users are registered as a group, a means for registering a list for identifying junk mail, and a list for determining junk mail are shared within the group An e-mail management system comprising a sorting means for sorting   2. The e-mail management system according to claim 1, wherein the list for determining junk mail is a black list that is a list of e-mail addresses that are rejected to receive and a white list that is a list of e-mail addresses that are permitted to be received. .

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