Jaytee Solutions

This paper outlines steps for configuring the filter function in Outlook Express to create a simple SPAM filter.

1. Set up a folder for receiving suspected SPAM
2. Set up one or more folders for your contacts. This is optional and is useful if you wish to separate certain people’s messages
3. Create your filters



This example has just one folder for all “known contacts”. We actually only use one filter but many could be created.

Order is important. First we separate mail for friends. Then we stop filtering all mail addressed to us. Finally we dispose of mail not clearly addressed to us.

4. Set up rules for friends



In this example we have only selected the “where the To line contains” as we know this mail only ever is delivered To us. It would be more appropriate for real people to select “where the To and CC line contains”.

The mail in or “Friends” folder is relatively safe. We know who it has come and it is addressed to us. However if our friends computer has been infected with a virus, it may be trying to send it to you. Always be suspicious of unexpected attachments and use an up to date virus scanner.

5. Select all mail addressed to us but from somebody we do not know.



These mails will stay in the Inbox. They are addressed to us but still maybe spam so treat anything unusual with care.

6. Finally filter anything else to SPAM



Any messages not caught by the previous rules will be sent to the SPAM folder by this rule. It doesn’t mean the message is spam so review the folder’s contents regularly. Unless you have created a “friends rule” it is likely that messages from any mailing lists you have joined will end up here. So will messages from friends who have sent you a blind copy (bcc).

If you want to go further with spam filtering, consider using an application such as Mail Washer or one of the commercial filters.

 © 2003 Jaytee Solutions Ltd