Use message rules as a spam filter to stop junk email

If you are familiar with using Outlook Express message rules you will already know how amazingly handy they can be. Did you know that you can use this program as a spam filter. I create a message rule for nearly every email that enters my computer, therefore when spam or junk email comes in, it stands out because it has no-where to go.

Using message rules as a spam filter is one way to control unwanted junk email messages from entering your computer. Here are some ideas on how to use your rules effectively. Sometimes just adding a sender to the block senders list is not enough.

If you are not familiar with the basics of message rules go here

Some of my favourite conditions I use

Where the From line contains people Who is sending the email? There is where you add their email address in here. There is a problem with this condition as the true email spammers change their email address all the time. I had an email advertising Viagra come at least twice a week with a different email address every time. Therefore this condition did not work.

Where the Subject line contains specific words I noticed that all of these particular emails about Viagra had the word pills in the subject line. Before adding a word in this section, make sure your other emails would not use this particular word in their subject line.

Where the message body contains specific words Unfortunately not all of the Viagra emails contained the words pills in the subject line so I added some words that may be in the body of the message...Words like pill, pills, Viagra, 50mg, 100mg, mg (pill measurement).

Some of my favourite Actions

Move it to a specific folder I only move emails to a specific folder if I want to keep them. Therefore the spam or junk email does not warrant this action. This action takes the whole email and moves it to another folder.

Do not Download it from the server This action and the one below are the best remedy for junk email.. You don't even want to download it to your computer.

Delete it from the server This has to be obviously the best action for junk and spam. Delete it from the server before it even gets to you.. This is the one I chose for the Viagra emails and I have never had another since.

Blocked Senders list - Free computer help at Tips4pc.com

How to View your blocked senders list

Open Outlook Express
Go to the tools menu at the top
Choose message rules, then choose blocked senders list

Blocked sender - Free Computer Tips

With the overwhelming popularity of sending messages through email, it is very important that you use a spam filter to stop junk email and maybe even viruses from entering your computer.

Notes:

As well as a spam filter, you should also have all of your emails scanned through a virus checker.
Even the email you get from a friend could contain a virus and should be checked.
If you use this spam filter in Outlook express and the junk email still gets through, you can find other programs that are designed specifically for this purpose.
The serious

Browse Tips4pc for more Free Computer Help

About the Author

Mitz Pantic wrote this article and others for http://www.tips4pc.com Browse Tips4pc.com for more articles that are written in an easy to understand interface and FREE computer help.

You can also visit her Australian Ebay store Fantastic Bits 24_7.

This article is free to re-produce providing that the author's bio is included and the website links are still clickable...

Get Tips4pc monthly newsletter! 543 members so far!