Filtering out the Spam in Outlook Express

These instructions and pictures apply to the Microsoft Outlook Express program that comes free with most versions of Windows. Once again, the strategy is to let the Spam get delivered to our account but have it automatically deleted once it arrives. This makes the Spammer "pay for nothing".

Step 1. Set-up some folders for temporary storage of messages you want to keep while you test the filters. In Outlook express you can right click a folder and there will be a menu item for "Add New Folder" about halfway down the menu. You can also add a folder from the "File" menu. Once you have created the folder, move any messages that you want to keep into that folder. You can use Drag and Drop for this this.

Step 2. Start by setting up a basic filter. In Outlook Express the filters are called "rules". These rules can be very powerful. Here's how to set up a "basic" rule. First go to the Tools menu and mouse down to Message Rules>, and then Mail.

This is the rules dialog box. Any rules that you set up will be shown in the topmost box. They can be turned off or on by checking the box. A plain English description of the rule is in the bottom box. In this example the rule is called antispam pass, and states that "if the subject line does not contain the word computers then automatically delete it from the server. This is a very limiting rule since the only mail that will be delivered to the inbox has to contain the word "computers" in the subject. 

Now we get to the steps to set up a rule. On the top right of the dialog box is the "New..." button. When you click that you will be presented with the "New Mail Rule" dialog box. To create a rule start at the top box and put a checkmark in one of the conditions. The third condition "Where the message body contains specific words" is the one where you can get pretty good results because you can get very specific. Then choose an action to be performed if the condition turns out to be true. If it is an anti-spam rule then you will probably want it to get deleted. If you want to watch the spam you can send it to a specific folder and periodically delete all of the messages from that folder. Now for the tricky part. As you build your new rule the explanation of the rule will appear in the bottom box. 

To add the specific words or addresses that you want to filter out you have to click on the blue underlined text in the description box. It looks like an Internet link. 

When you click the description a box will come up like the one above. Type in the word that you want to filter, and press the "Add" button after each one. You can build a list like the one above, adding any words that are contained in Spam messages that you are getting. Once you click OK, your list will show in the description box. It is also a good idea to give the rule a name, so that you will know what you are turning on and off in the top box.  

To set up a block for the SoBig.f virus, you could set up a list that contains the words (in the subject line) :

Re: Details
Re: Approved
Re: Re: My details
Re: Thank you!
Re: That movie
Re: Wicked screensaver
Re: Your application
Thank you!
Your details


or one in the body that blocks the word attached. 

Here's how the Spammers are getting around a rule like this one. If your mail is set up to read HTML mail then what the spammers do is to send you a giant picture or a link to giant picture. Since the message body contains no text at all then the Spam will get through. They have systems that can automatically detect if HTML mail can get through and format the mail just for that. To stop this you will have to place the senders e-mail address or a subject filter in the rules. New legislation is being passed that requires Spammers to include the letters ADV: in the subject of the messages. This will enable users to set up one filter for most Spam. If you live in a state the that has this in the law, and you receive Spam that doesn't use it, Report them.

Now for an Industrial Strength filter--> 

This is the Microsoft article on Spam
http://office.microsoft.com/assistance/2002/articles/OlManageJunkAndAdultMail.aspx