Cut Your Spam Load

Use Outlook Express to filter out annoying junk e-mail.

It seems as if as soon as you get your system configured to dump the junk mail, a whole new set of spammers shows up. But Outlook Express 5 has enhanced mail-filtering features that help you keep those unwanted pitches to a minimum.

Start with the easiest way of reducing the amount of dreck in your in-box: Select Tools, Message Rules, Blocked Senders. Click Add, and enter the e-mail addresses of senders you have no interest in hearing from. You can block e-mail, newsgroup missives, or both.

Click the Mail Rules tab if you want more options. Here you can set up broader rules. For example, you can block messages that have specific words or phrases in the From or Subject fields, or in the message body (use your imagination). You also get more options for disposal here. You can choose to not download messages from the server, or to delete them from the server. In addition, the Mail Rules tab gives you automated options for messages you don't want to go get rid of. For example, you can set Outlook Express to automatically reply to particular messages with a stock response, move messages to a folder, or forward messages.

Be careful, though. If you don't think through your rules--and even if you do--you may be sending into oblivion messages you actually want.

Would you recommend this story? YES NO