How to Block Junk Emails
Junk email (AKA "spam") is a fact of life many people deal with on a daily basis. Upon launching your email program, you may find that your inbox is inundated with messages from unknown entities trying to sell you products, or even scam you out of private information that allows them to steal your identity. While spam messages are tough to fight, you can use various methods to effectively combat the junk and keep it from clogging your mailbox.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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Determine who you want to give your email address to. You may want to sign up for an online service, such as a newsletter, but this can attract junk email offers if the provider does not have a spam agreement in place. Look for a "Privacy Policy" that describes how the organization keeps your information safe. Otherwise, opt to create a temporary email address so that you can receive the services and block potential junk emails from reaching your primary inbox.
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Use your email provider's method of applying a junk email blocker to your account. Most providers, such as Yahoo, offer a filtering system that detect potential junk messages and automatically delete these emails or move them to a labeled folder, according to your preference. Further, if you are aware of certain senders that are sending the junk emails, you can enter these email addresses in the filter to block them indefinitely. Look for a spam filter/blocker in your email account's "Account Info" or similar link, or access your provider's help files to get the specific instruction.
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Download a free spam filter software application like MailWasher, or choose to purchase a program like SpamEater Pro to effectively manage junk emails. These programs typically provide service for all major email accounts, such as Google and Hotmail, and help to detect junk and eliminate it. Such programs may further, provide advanced program features that allow you to view the content of a message, without opening it and exposing your computer to potential viruses. You can find various providers by searching terms like "spam filter" and "spam blocker." Or obtain a list of programs by accessing an Internet filter review list like Top Ten Review's "Spam Filter Review 2009" page (see Resources). Try out the program's free demo (if available) and make sure the application has over a 90 percent success rate for blocking messages to ensure the system is effective.
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Avoid forwarding emails that get mass emailed, such as jokes, because all of the addresses on this forward trail eventually end up in the hands of the original spammer who then continues to send junk emails to the new contacts. If something is really worth sharing, consider copying the content into a new message and then sending it.
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