A method provides security to a computer network by selectively blocking
network transmissions from selected IP addresses. The method includes the
steps of: establishing a risk threshold whereby transmissions from IP
addresses exceeding said risk threshold are selectively blocked;
receiving a network transmission having an originating IP address and
payload; analyzing the payload of said transmission and assigning a
current risk rating to said IP address on the basis of said analysis;
comparing the originating IP address of said transmission to a database
of known IP addresses, each of said known IP addresses having a previous
cumulative assigned risk rating, said previous cumulative assigned risk
rating being based on at least one previous transmission from a known IP
address; assigning a new cumulative risk rating to said originating IP
address; logging the new cumulative risk rating for said originating IP
address in said database of known IP addresses. The new cumulative risk
rating is compared to said risk threshold and the transmission is blocked
if said new cumulative risk rating exceeds said risk threshold.