DISTRIBUTION LIMITER FOR NETWORK MESSAGING

A message distribution limiter computer program and method are provided. The method preferably includes receiving a site address of target data stored at a remote site on a computer network; locating the target data stored at the remote site; examining the target data to determine if user addresses are present in the target data; extracting user addresses from the target data; and compiling a database containing the extracted user addresses. The method also preferably includes the steps of downloading the target data to a local memory; locating within the target data one or more embedded site addresses of remote sites on the computer network for locating additional target data referenced within the remote sites; screening the embedded site addresses according to a user-selectable criterion; and screening the target data according to a user-selectable criterion such that user addresses are extracted only from target data meeting the selected criterion. Also included is a mail screening module adapted to place into a network site a user-selectable code indicating whether a selected type of message is desired to be received by a mailbox within the network site.