Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a method of, and apparatus for, detecting the source and movement of emails that are propagated by an email virus. The invention comprises a server configured to send outgoing electronic messages on behalf of terminals connected thereto and to deliver incoming electronic messages to the terminals, each terminal being accessed by one or more users. The server comprises: receiving means arranged to receive data relating to such electronic messages; analysing means arranged to analyse the received data in accordance with a specified criterion, so as to identify those electronic messages that satisfy the criterion; identifying means arranged to identify the destination of the identified electronic messages; processing means arranged to send a message to each of the identified destinations, requesting suspension of delivery of the identified electronic messages. This therefore allows suspect electronic messages (emails) to be identified, and recalled, or quarantined at a destination server, thereby preventing the spread of suspect emails as early as possible. The method also collates and presents email activity as a function of the position, within an organization, of the origin of an email. The email activity can be presented graphically, thus providing an enhanced user interface to email data within a company. In other words, awareness of movement of emails within a company is greatly enhanced. This represents an improvement over the prior art, because it provides a faster way of identifying potential viral damage within, for example, a company intranet.

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First Claim