KR20040012056A - Apparatus and method of forwarding internet mail - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A device and a method for sending an Internet mail are provided to prevent a computer virus from spreading out through the Internet mail by checking and curing the computer virus of the Internet mail on a sending step. CONSTITUTION: If a sender PC(10) writes the mail including an attached file and forwards the mail, the mail is transmitted to a sender mail server(20). The sender mail server sends the mail to a mail management server(50). The mail management server extracts and separates the attached file from the mail. At this time, the virus check and cure for the mail is performed. The attached file and the separated mail are written in a sending mail again. The sending mail includes a message, the receiver information, attached file existence, and the FFS(File Storage Server) information except the attached file. The sending mail is sent to the sender mail server. The attached file is sent to an FFS(60). The sender mail server transmits the sending mail to a receiver mail server(30). A receiver PC(40) receives the mail arrived to the receiver mail server and downloads the attached file from the FFS.

Description

Internet mail sending device and method thereof {APPARATUS AND METHOD OF FORWARDING INTERNET MAIL}

The present invention relates to an Internet e-mail service. In particular, it relates to a sending device and a sending method of an Internet mail having an attached file.

With the recent rapid spread of the Internet, the use of the Internet to send and receive e-mail (hereinafter referred to as "mail") is becoming more common. Internet mail has many advantages over traditional communication methods such as letters, telephones, and telegrams. Internet mail not only has a much faster transfer speed than conventional means of communication, but it can also deliver mail of the same content to multiple people simultaneously.

In addition, Internet mail can be attached to a variety of files in the body of a simple text form to be delivered to the other party. In other words, a text file, a voice, an image, and a video file can be attached to an e-mail.

There are two widely used methods for sending and receiving Internet mail. One is to use a dedicated program for sending / receiving mail (for example, Microsoft Outlook Express). The other method is to send / receive mail by accessing a web site that provides a mail service through an internet browser (for example, Internet Explorer) without using a dedicated program for sending / receiving mail (hereinafter referred to as “webmail”). Is used).

1 is a view schematically showing the operation of the conventional Internet mail service system, in which a dedicated program for sending / receiving mail is used. Referring to FIG. 1, a mail sending / receiving service having an attachment using a mail sending / receiving program is provided by a sender mail server 20a and a receiver mail server provided by a PC communication company or an ISP (Internet Service Provider) company. Through 30a. When a sender sends a mail with an attached file to a designated recipient through a mail dedicated program installed in his PC 10a, the mail is transmitted to the sender mail server 20a by a protocol called SMTP. The sender mail server 20a transmits the mail with the attached file to the recipient mail server 30a to which the receiver is subscribed. The mail transmitted to the recipient mail server 30a is transmitted to the recipient's PC 40a by a protocol called POP3, and the recipient can check the received mail through a mail-only program installed on his PC 40a.

Although not shown, in the case of the Internet mail service using web mail, the mail transmission from the sender PC to the sender mail server and the mail transmission from the receiver mail server to the receiver PC are performed by a protocol called HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). It is similar to the case of using the mail only program shown in FIG.

In such an Internet mail service system, the capacity of a mail (especially an attached file) and a computer virus become a problem. If the capacity of the mail (especially the attached file) is too large (and also sent to multiple recipients simultaneously), the sender mail server 20a and the recipient mail server 30a may be subjected to excessive load at the same time, which may cause communication failure. This failure can sometimes cause the server to crash. Therefore, there is a case where the capacity of the attached file is limited, and it is inconvenient to send a large file. The problem is serious because computer viruses that cause fatal damage to computers are spreading through Internet mail. In order to prevent the rapid spread of computer viruses by Internet mail, virus checks on Internet mail and treatment of infected files have been carried out. Currently, virus scanning and treatment of Internet mail is performed at the reception stage of the mail. Since the virus scan and treatment at the reception stage is a countermeasure against a computer virus that has already spread, it is insufficient to prevent the spread of computer viruses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an Internet mail service for performing computer virus checks and treatments on mails in the sending step in order to prevent the spread of computer viruses through Internet mails. Another object of the present invention is to provide an Internet mail service capable of transmitting a large capacity of an attached file. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an Internet mail service that notifies a sender when a sender sends a mail in which a computer virus exists.

1 is a basic configuration of a conventional Internet mail service system

2 is a basic configuration diagram of an Internet mail service system in which mail is sent by an Internet mail sending apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of sending mail of the Internet mail sending apparatus of Figure 2

Figure 4 is a flow chart of the operation of sending mail in the Internet mail sending apparatus of FIG.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of receiving mail of the Internet mail service system of Fig. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations of receiving mail in the Internet mail service system of FIG.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

15: sending device 20: sender mail server

50: mail management server 60: file storage server

According to an aspect of the present invention, in the computer system for sending e-mail for sending e-mail via the Internet,

Receiving an original e-mail with attachments;

Performing a virus scan on portions of the original email other than attachments;

Separating the attachment from the original mail;

Performing a virus scan on the separated attachments;

Storing the separated attachment file;

Including the location information of the attached file in the separated mail and rewriting the attachment file into an e-mail for sending;

Sending the sending e-mail;

Receiving the attachment transmission request;

Provided is an internet mail sending method comprising the step of sending an attached file stored in the storage device.

In addition, according to the present invention is to send an e-mail via the Internet in a computer system for sending e-mail,

Receiving an original e-mail with attachments;

Performing a virus scan on the original email;

Separating the attachment from the original mail;

Storing the separated attachment file;

Including the location information of the attached file in the separated mail and rewriting the attachment file into an e-mail for sending;

Sending the sending e-mail;

Receiving the attachment transmission request;

Provided is an internet mail sending method comprising the step of sending an attached file stored in the storage device.

If a virus is found in the virus scanning step, it may include sending an e-mail notifying the sender.

If a virus is detected as a result of the virus scan for the attachment, the method may further include treating a file infected with the virus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Internet electronic mail sending computer device for sending an electronic mail via the Internet,

Processor,

A storage device coupled to the processor,

The memory device stores a program for operating a processor, the program comprising the steps of: receiving an original e-mail with an attached file, performing a virus check on a portion other than the attached file in the original e-mail; Separating the attachment from the original mail, performing a virus scan on the separated attachment, storing the separated attachment, and the location of the attachment in the separated email Including the information, rewriting the sending e-mail, sending the sending e-mail, receiving the attachment transmission request, and sending the attached file stored in the storage device. A computer apparatus for sending Internet e-mail is provided.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an Internet electronic mail sending computer device for sending electronic mail via the Internet,

Processor,

A storage device coupled to the processor,

The memory device stores a program for operating a processor, the program receiving an original e-mail with an attached file, performing a virus check on the original e-mail, and attaching an attached file from the original e-mail. Separating the; and storing the separated attachment file; rewriting the attachment file by including the location information of the attachment file in the separated mail; An Internet e-mail sending computer device is provided that performs sending, receiving an attachment file transfer request, and sending an attached file stored in the storage device.

The program may further perform the step of sending an e-mail notifying the sender if a virus is found in the virus scanning step.

The program may further perform a step of treating a virus infected file when a virus is found in an attachment file as a result of a virus test for the attachment file.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program performed to send an e-mail via the Internet,

Receiving an original e-mail with an attached file on the computer, performing a virus scan on a portion of the original e-mail other than the attached file, separating the attached file from the original mail, and separating Performing a virus scan on the attached attachment, storing the separated attachment, rewriting the attachment by including the location information of the attachment in the separated mail, and rewriting it as an e-mail for sending; And a computer readable recording medium having a program recorded thereon for executing the sending of the sending e-mail, receiving the attachment file transmission request, and sending the attachment file stored in the storage device. do.

In addition, according to the present invention is a program that is performed to send an e-mail via the Internet,

Receiving an original e-mail with an attachment on a computer, performing a virus scan on the original e-mail, separating the attachment from the original e-mail, and storing the separated attachment And rewriting the attachment file by including the location information of the attachment in the separated mail, sending the e-mail for sending, and receiving the attachment file transmission request. And a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the step of sending the attached file stored in the storage device.

The program may further include sending an e-mail notifying the sender if a virus is found in the virus scanning step.

The program may further include a step of treating a virus infected file when a virus is found in the attached file as a result of the virus scan for the attached file.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

2 is a basic configuration of an Internet e-mail service system in which mail is sent by an Internet mail sending apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 2, the sending device 15 for sending the sender's mail to the receiver includes a sender's mail server 20, a mail management server 50, and a file storage server 60 and three sub-servers. . When the sender composes the mail containing the attachment through his PC 10 and sends it to the designated recipient, the mail is transmitted to the sender mail server 20. The sender mail server 20 sends a mail including an attachment to the mail management server 50. The mail management server 50 extracts and separates attachments from the mail received from the sender mail server 20. In this process, the virus (including attachments) is scanned for viruses. Mail separated from attachments is rewritten as mail for sending. The mail for sending includes information on the file storage server storing the message, the recipient information, the existence of the attached file, and the attached file except the attached file. Mail for sending is sent to the sender mail server 20, the separated attachment is sent to a File Storage Server (FSS) (60). The sender mail server 20 transmits the mail for sending received from the mail management server 50 to the receiver mail server 30. Attached files sent to the file storage server 60 is stored in the file storage server 60. The recipient receives the mail arriving at the recipient mail server 30 through his PC 40 and confirms the existence of the attached file, and then downloads the attached file from the file storage server 60.

3 and 4, the transmission process of the mail by the Internet mail sending apparatus shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail. First, the sender creates an e-mail to be transmitted using his or her PC 10 using an Internet browser or a mail-only program (S1 in Fig. 4). In this case, the original mail may include an attachment. Then, the sender sends the created original mail to the sender mail server 20 (S2 in Fig. 4). Next, the sender mail server 20 sends the original mail to the mail management server 50. The mail management server 50 receiving the original mail first performs a virus check on the mail (S3 in FIG. 4). It is a good idea to perform a scan that checks for viruses that follow certain virus rules (for example, the Nimda virus). Viruses that follow the rules are viruses that have rules in the subject, body content, and attachment file name of the e-mail. They usually send e-mail automatically even if the sender never intended to send it. Typically, the virus is intentionally created to spread through mail applications, and variant viruses also create new rules (for example, renaming a file existing on a computer to an arbitrary file name). This check confirms whether a virus in accordance with a predetermined rule exists in the original mail (S4 in Fig. 4). If a virus according to a predetermined rule exists in the original message as a result of confirmation, after deleting the infected mail (S5 of FIG. 4), the mail management server 50 notifies the sender that the virus has deleted the mail due to the virus. Write. The created virus notification mail is delivered to the sender mail server 20, and the sender mail server 20 sends the virus notification mail to the sender (S6 in Fig. 4). The sender checks the virus notification mail by using a mail-only program or an internet browser through his PC 10. This notification mail allows the mail sender to know that the virus mail was sent without his intention.

If there is no virus according to a predetermined rule as a result of virus scanning for the original mail, the mail management server 50 checks the presence or absence of an attached file (S7 in FIG. 4). If there is no attachment, the mail management server 50 immediately generates a mail for sending, and then delivers the mail for sending to the sender mail server 20, and the sender mail server 20 sends the received mail for sending. It sends to the server 30 (S15 of FIG. 4). On the contrary, if there is an attachment file, the mail management server 50 extracts and separates the attachment file from the original mail (hereinafter, the portion separated from the attachment file is referred to as "basic mail") (S8 in FIG. 4). Then, the mail management server 50 performs a virus scan on the extracted attachment file using the antivirus program (S9 in Fig. 4). In this case, it is desirable to perform a test that does not follow certain virus rules or checks for viruses (eg, Chernobyl viruses) inserted in an attachment. Viruses that do not follow the rules refer to viruses that are not regular in the subject, body text, and attachment file name of the mail, and the sender composes the mail and attaches the infected file. If a virus is infected and a file is mailed to someone else, the person's computer is at risk of virus infection when the file is opened. Next, the mail management server 50 checks whether a virus exists for the attached file (S10 in FIG. 4). As a result of the check, if there is no virus in the attached file, the primary mail is generated as a mail for sending by the mail management server 50 (S13 in FIG. 4), and the attached file is sent to the file storage server 60 and stored (S14 in FIG. 4). ). At this time, the mail for sending includes information on the stored attachments, such as the body content of the attachment, the recipient information, whether there is an attachment, and a file storage server storing the attachment. The attachment information contained in the mail for sending may be a URL of a location stored in a file storage server. The mail may be provided with a set of instructions that allow the user to perform a download by clicking once. The generated mail for delivery is delivered to the sender mail server 20, and the sender mail server 20 transmits the mail for sending to the recipient mail server 30 (S15 in Fig. 4).

If a virus exists in the attached file, the mail management server 50 treats the file infected with the virus (S11 in FIG. 4). Then, the mail management server 50 creates a virus notification mail to inform the sender that the virus exists in the attached file to heal it and send it to the sender mail server 20, the sender mail server 20 is a notification mail to the sender (S12 in Fig. 4). Then, the mail management server 50 rewrites the basic mail to generate a mail for sending (S13 in FIG. 4), and sends the attached file to the file storage server 60 for storage (S14 in FIG. 4). In this case, the mail for sending includes information such as body contents excluding the attached file, recipient information, whether there is an attached file, and a location URL where the attached file is stored. Then, the mail management server 50 delivers the generated mail for sending to the sender mail server 20, and the sender mail server 20 transmits the mail for sending to the recipient mail server 30 (Fig. 4). S15).

Although not shown, a computer implementing the sender mail server 20 includes a memory unit in which a program that performs server functions is stored, and a processor that executes instructions of the program. The storage device of the sender mail server 20 includes, for example, a program for receiving mail from the sender (when the sender uses a mail-only program), and creating a mail (when the sender creates a mail on the server through an Internet browser). Program), a program for sending outgoing mail to the recipient mail server, a program for sending out virus notification mail to the sender, and a program for delivering the original mail to the mail management server (50).

The computer implementing the mail management server 50 includes a storage device for storing a program that performs the server function, and a processor for executing the instructions of the program. In the memory of the mail management server 50, a program for checking a virus according to a rule, a program for separating an attachment from an original mail when the original mail has an attachment, and a virus checking and cleaning for the attachment. A program, a program for generating a mail for sending, a program for generating a virus notification mail, a program for sending a mail for sending or a virus notification mail to a sender mail server, and a program for sending an attachment to a file storage server 60. This is stored.

The computer implementing the file storage server 60 also includes a storage device in which a program that performs the server function is stored, and a processor on which instructions of the program are executed. The actual attachment file is stored in an auxiliary storage device or an external storage device (hereinafter referred to as "storage device") that forms part of the storage device. The storage device of the file storage server 60 stores a program for sending an attached file stored in the storage device to the receiver PC 40 at the request of the receiver.

The sending device 15 described above was provided with a sub-server (sender mail server 20, mail management server 50, file storage server 60) consisting of three independent computers. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The sending device is composed of one computer, and the computer includes a processor arranged to perform the functions of the three sub-servers (sender mail server 20, mail management server 50, and file storage server 60). It will be understood by those skilled in the art that a memory device may be provided.

Now, with reference to Figures 5 and 6 will be described in detail the process of the recipient receives and confirms the mail sent by the Internet mail sending apparatus shown in FIG. First, the receiver connects to the recipient mail server 30 (S1 in Fig. 6). The recipient then receives the mail to his PC 40 using an Internet browser or a mail dedicated program (S2 in Fig. 6). At this time, since the received mail is a mail for sending out the attachment in the sending step, the attachment does not exist. Next, the recipient checks the contents of the mail received through his PC 40 (S3 in Fig. 6). Then, the receiver checks the existence of the attached file in the mail received through his PC 40 (S4 in Fig. 6). If no attachment is found, the mail checking operation is finished (S5 in Fig. 6). Otherwise, if the attachment exists, the receiver selects the download of the attachment through his PC 40 (S6 in FIG. 6). This is done by clicking on an area arranged to select the attachment download of the mail. When the area is clicked, the recipient's PC 40 is connected to the file storage server 60 where the attachment is separated and stored in the sending step (S7 in FIG. 6), and the attachment is downloaded to the recipient's PC 40 ( S8 of FIG. 6). Unlike the above embodiment, only the URL where the file to be downloaded may be described in the mail. The recipient can also go to the URL and download the file directly from the browser.

On the other hand, when trying to send an attachment to a plurality of recipients can be attached to the file storage server 60, a number of people take the attachment. In this case, each sending mail sent to a plurality of people is planted with information (for example, mail serial number) for identifying a recipient, and the identification information is transmitted to the file storage server when the download area of the mail is clicked for the download. . By recording the transmitted identification information on the server, it is possible to check who has downloaded the attached file.

By using the Internet mail service according to the present invention, unnecessary load on the originating / receiving mail server is prevented, and the sender can send a larger attachment. Even when sending large attachments to a large number of people, the load on the sending system is almost the same as mail without other attachments.

By using the Internet mail service according to the present invention, it is possible to cope with various types of computer viruses in the sending step. Thus, the virus can be prevented from automatically sending virus mail to the person in the address book of the infected PC. This prevents the spread of viruses and prevents network traffic problems. In addition, it is possible to prevent the sender's personal information from being leaked by a virus that sends any file in the sender's PC to the person in the address book. In addition, since the sender always sends a mail in which the virus does not exist, the sender can increase the reliability of the mail. In addition, if the Internet mail service according to the present invention is used, the sender can receive an e-mail informing the user when his PC is virus infected. This gives the caller the opportunity to treat his PC.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and that such modifications and variations also fall within the present invention.

Claims (12)

A computer system for sending e-mails, for sending e-mails over the Internet, Receiving an original e-mail with attachments; Performing a virus scan on portions of the original email other than attachments; Separating the attachment from the original mail; Performing a virus scan on the separated attachments; Storing the separated attachment file; Including the location information of the attached file in the separated mail and rewriting the attachment file into an e-mail for sending; Sending the sending e-mail; Receiving the attachment transmission request; Internet mail sending method comprising the step of sending the attached file stored in the storage device. A computer system for sending e-mails, for sending e-mails over the Internet, Receiving an original e-mail with attachments; Performing a virus scan on the original email; Separating the attachment from the original mail; Storing the separated attachment file; Including the location information of the attached file in the separated mail and rewriting the attachment file into an e-mail for sending; Sending the sending e-mail; Receiving the attachment transmission request; Internet mail sending method comprising the step of sending the attached file stored in the storage device. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising: sending an e-mail notifying the sender when a virus is found in the virus scanning step. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of treating the virus-infected file if a virus is found in the attachment file as a result of the virus scan of the attachment file. An Internet e-mail sending computer device for sending e-mails over the Internet, Processor, A storage device coupled to the processor, The memory device stores a program for operating a processor, the program comprising the steps of: receiving an original e-mail with an attached file, performing a virus check on a portion other than the attached file in the original e-mail; Separating the attachment from the original mail, performing a virus scan on the separated attachment, storing the separated attachment, and the location of the attachment in the separated email Including the information, rewriting the sending e-mail, sending the sending e-mail, receiving the attachment transmission request, and sending the attached file stored in the storage device. Computer equipment for sending Internet e-mail. An Internet e-mail sending computer device for sending e-mails over the Internet, Processor, A storage device coupled to the processor, The memory device stores a program for operating a processor, the program receiving an original e-mail with an attached file, performing a virus check on the original e-mail, and attaching an attached file from the original e-mail. Separating the; and storing the separated attachment file; rewriting the attachment file by including the location information of the attachment file in the separated e-mail and rewriting the e-mail for sending; And sending the attachment, receiving the attachment request, and sending the attachment stored in the storage device. 7. The computer apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the program further performs a step of sending an e-mail notifying the sender when a virus is found in the virus scanning step. 8. The computer apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the program further performs a step of treating a virus infected file when a virus is found in an attachment file as a result of a virus scan for the attachment file. A program executed to send an e-mail over the Internet, Receiving an original e-mail with an attached file on the computer, performing a virus scan on a portion of the original e-mail other than the attached file, separating the attached file from the original mail, and separating Performing a virus scan on the attached attachment, storing the separated attachment, rewriting the attachment by including the location information of the attachment in the separated mail, and rewriting it as an e-mail for sending; And a step of sending the sending e-mail, receiving the attachment file transmission request, and sending the attachment file stored in the storage device. A program executed to send an e-mail over the Internet, Receiving an original e-mail with an attachment on a computer, performing a virus scan on the original e-mail, separating the attachment from the original e-mail, and storing the separated attachment And rewriting the attachment file by including the location information of the attachment in the separated mail, sending the e-mail for sending, and receiving the attachment file transmission request. And a computer program for recording the attached file stored in the storage device. The computer-readable recording medium of claim 9 or 10, wherein the program further comprises sending an e-mail notifying the sender when a virus is found in the virus scanning step. The computer-readable recording medium of claim 11, wherein the program further comprises the step of treating the virus-infected file when a virus is found in the attachment file as a result of the virus scan for the attachment file.