How to Block Spam on a Computer

Spam is annoying and easy to delete, but deleting it takes time.

Spam is unwanted email that can come from randomly sent emails to all kinds of email address. Most of the time, spammers get your email address from somewhere on the Internet or through purchasing your address on a list where your address was collected when you purchased something. Spam often is considered the scourge of the Internet because of the time, space and resources it wastes. Blocking spam can take some work, but prevention is always encouraged when possible.

Things You'll Need

• Spam removal services

Instructions

1. Look for settings in your email program to block emails. Look through the preferences and add email addresses you do not want to receive email from. In some email programs, you can also block certain words in emails.

2. Install a blocker program like Google’s Postini software or SpamFighter. These and other programs will block emails that have common characteristics with spam. You can install software or sign up for a service that does this.

3. Sign up for an email service that helps protect your Inbox through a challenge and response request to all email senders. When you sign up with the service, people who send email to you will have to fill out something saying they did send you email and then the service forwards the mail to the recipient. In the future, allowed addresses will be let through. You can also make a list of approved email addresses that will always make it through.