System and method for proof-of-work based on hash mining for reducing spam attacks

1. A server providing a proof-of-work challenge based on hash mining for reducing spam attacks comprising:

a) at least one processor;

b) at least one input device; and

c) at least one storage device storing processor-executable instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, perform a method comprising:

receiving an email message from a client device, the email message directed to an email recipient;

determining a level of trustworthiness of the client device;

generating a proof of work challenge message based on the determined trustworthiness of the client device, wherein generating the challenge message comprises:

generating a random token based on the determined trustworthiness of the client device;

generating a signature by performing a hash algorithm on a combination of the random token and a plain text string; and

assembling the challenge message to include an instruction to perform a hash algorithm, the plain text string, the signature, and the hash algorithm to be used to perform the hash;

transmitting the challenge message to the client device;

receiving a response to the challenge message from the client device, the response from the client device comprising a value, and wherein in a correct response, the value is equal to the value of the random token; and

forwarding the email to one or more recipients when the response to the challenge message is correct.

2. The server of claim 1 , wherein the executed instructions further:

discard the received email message when the response to the challenge message from the client device is incorrect.

3. The server of claim 1 , wherein the executed instructions further:

transmit to the client device an indication of a number of emails they may send through the server when the response to the challenge message is correct.

4. The server of claim 1 , wherein the hash algorithm is a sha256 hash.

5. The server of claim 1 , wherein the response from the client device that is received after a timeout period has expired is considered an incorrect response.

6. A computer-implemented method for providing a proof-of-work challenge based on hash mining for reducing spam attacks comprising:

receiving an email message from a client device, the email message directed to an email recipient;

determining a level of trustworthiness of the client device;

generating a proof of work challenge message based on the determined trustworthiness of the client device, wherein generating the challenge message comprises:

generating a random token based on the determined trustworthiness of the client device;

generating a signature by performing a hash algorithm on a combination of the random token and a plain text string; and

assembling the challenge message to include an instruction to perform a hash algorithm, the plain text string, the signature, and the hash algorithm to be used to perform the hash;

transmitting the challenge message to the client device;

receiving a response to the challenge message from the client device, the response from the client device comprising a value, and wherein in a correct response, the value is equal to the value of the random token; and

forwarding the email to one or more recipients when the response to the challenge message is correct.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

discarding the received email message when the response to the challenge message from the client device is incorrect.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

transmitting to the client device an indication of a number of emails they may send when the response to the challenge message is correct.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the hash algorithm is a sha256 hash.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the response from the client device that is received after a timeout period has expired is considered an incorrect response.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium for storing computer instructions that, when executed by at least one processor causes the at least one processor to perform a method for providing a proof-of-work challenge based on hash mining for reducing spam attacks comprising:

receiving an email message from a client device, the email message directed to an email recipient;

determining a level of trustworthiness of the client device;

generating a proof of work challenge message based on the determined trustworthiness of the client device, wherein generating the challenge message comprises:

generating a random token based on the determined trustworthiness of the client device;

generating a signature by performing a hash algorithm on a combination of the random token and a plain text string; and

assembling the challenge message to include an instruction to perform a hash algorithm, the plain text string, the signature, and the hash algorithm to be used to perform the hash;

transmitting the challenge message to the client device;

receiving a response to the challenge message from the client device, the response from the client device comprising a value, and wherein in a correct response, the value is equal to the value of the random token; and

forwarding the email to one or more recipients when the response to the challenge message is correct.

12. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising:

discarding the received email message when the response to the challenge message from the client device is incorrect.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising:

transmitting to the client device an indication of a number of emails they may send when the response to the challenge message is correct.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the response from the client device that is received after a timeout period has expired is considered an incorrect response.