System and method for detecting and filtering unsolicited and undesired electronic messages

A system comprising:

• a computer comprising a sending module operable to:
• send to an intended recipient at least a first and a subsequent electronic message authorized by an originator and first and subsequent identification data uniquely identifying said first and subsequent electronic messages, the first and subsequent identification data distinguishing said first and subsequent electronic messages from other electronic messages authorized by the originator, said first and subsequent identification data being stored for subsequent access, said first and subsequent identification data being generated from at least a portion of the first and subsequent electronic messages;
• receive on behalf of the intended recipient first and subsequent confirmation requests including said first and subsequent identification data and requesting confirmation that said first and subsequent electronic messages were authorized by the originator;
• compare said first and subsequent identification data received in said first and subsequent confirmation requests to said stored first and subsequent identification data;
• and
• upon determining that said first and subsequent identification data received in said first and subsequent confirmation requests match said first and subsequent stored identification data, respond to said first and second confirmation requests, affirming said first and subsequent electronic messages were authorized by the originator.

A method comprising:

• receiving a first confirmation request to confirm that first electronic message sent
• to an intended recipient was authorized by an originator identified in the first electronic message, the first confirmation request including first identification data purposing to uniquely identify the first electronic message, the first identification data having been generated from at least a portion of the first electronic message;
• searching a data store, separate from said first;
• electronic message, for said first identification data;
• upon determining that said data store does not contain said first identification data, responding to said confirmation request, denying the first electronic message was authorized by the originator;
• receiving a subsequent confirmation request to confirm that a subsequent electronic message sent to an intended recipient was authorized by the originator identified in the subsequent electronic message, the subsequent confirmation request including subsequent identification data purporting to uniquely identify the subsequent electronic message, the subsequent identification data distinguishing said subsequent electronic message from other electronic messages authorized by the originator, the subsequent identification data having been generated from at least a portion of the subsequent electronic message;
• searching a data store, separate from said subsequent electronic message, for said subsequent identification data;
• and
• upon determining that said data store does not contain said subsequent identification data, responding to said subsequent confirmation request, denying the subsequent electronic message was authorized by the originator.

A method comprising:

• receiving a first confirmation request to confirm that a first electronic message sent to an intended recipient was authorized by an originator identified in the first electronic message, the first confirmation request including first identification data purporting to uniquely identify the first electronic message, the first identification data having been generated from at least a portion of the first electronic message;
• searching a data store, independent of said first electronic message, for said first identification data;
• upon determining that said data store contains said first identification data, responding to said first confirmation request, affirming the first electronic message was authorized by the originator;
• receiving a subsequent confirmation request to confirm that a subsequent electronic message sent to an intended recipient was authorized by the originator identified in the subsequent electronic message, the subsequent confirmation request including subsequent identification data purporting to uniquely identify the subsequent electronic message, the, subsequent identification data distinguishing said subsequent electronic message from other electronic messages authorized by the originator, the subsequent identification data having been generated from at least a portion of the subsequent electronic message;
• searching a data store, independent of said subsequent electronic message, for said subsequent identification data;
• and
• upon determining that said data store contains said subsequent identification data, responding to said subsequent confirmation request, affirming the subsequent electronic message was authorized by the originator.

A method comprising:

• receiving from a sending device a first electronic message authorized by an originator, said first electronic message containing first information identifying the originator, the first identifying information having been generated from at least a portion of the first electronic message;
• sending to a confirmation device a first confirmation request requesting confirmation that said first electronic message was authorized by the originator;
• searching a data store, independent of said first electronic message, for said first identification information;
• upon determining that said data store contains said first identification information responding to said first confirmation request, affirming the first electronic message was authorized by the originator;
• receiving a response to said first confirmation request affirming said first electronic message was authorized by the originator;
• allowing said first electronic message to be further processed according to rules for processing of confirmed electronic messages directed to the intended recipient;
• receiving from the sending device a second electronic message different from said first electronic message authorized by the originator, said second electronic message containing second information identifying the originator, the second identifying information having been generated from at least a portion of the second electronic message and distinguishing said second electronic message from other electronic messages authorized by the originator;
• sending to the confirmation device a second confirmation request requesting confirmation that said second electronic message was authorized by the originator;
• searching a data store, independent of said second electronic message, for said second identification information;
• upon determining that said data store contains said second identification information responding to said second confirmation request, affirming the second electronic message was authorized by the originator;
• receiving a response to said second confirmation request affirming said second electronic message was authorized by the originator;
• and
• allowing said second electronic message to be further processed according to rules for processing of confirmed electronic messages directed to the intended recipient.