Unsolicited bulk email detection using URL tree hashes

US10706032B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Astrid Granacher · Kassel, DE
• Dirk Harz · Kassel, DE
• Juergen Kader · Kassel, DE
• Johannes Noll · Heringen (Werra), DE
• Mark Usher · Kassel, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 3, 2015
• Grant date: Jul 7, 2020
• Expiry date: Jan 27, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L51/42
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for detecting unsolicited bulk emails (UBE) is provided. The method may include receiving an email. The method may also include identifying a uniform resource locator (URL) contained in the received email. The method may then include dividing the identified URL into a plurality of component parts. The method may further include generating a tree structure based on the plurality of component parts. The method may also include generating an input string based on the generated tree structure. The method may then include calculating a hash value based on the generated input string. The method may further include determining if the calculated hash value matches a UBE hash value within a plurality of UBE hash values. The method may also include identifying the received email as a UBE based on determining that the calculated hash value matches the UBE hash value.