Spam filtering in Mail.app for beginners

Jun 18, '02 09:35:27PM

Contributed by: dennisbest

I recently followed a hint here to enable some robust UNIX spam filtering options (spambouncer, etc.) and have been delighted with the results. Unfortunately, the instructions are a little complicated for novice users to employ. So I began looking at how people like my Mother can use the very basic filters in Mail.app to block spam.

Read the rest of the article for some ideas on how to use rules to help filter spam from your inbox...

While Mail's filtering options are rudimentary, there are three very simple rules you can set to block most spam. I'm sure others have suggestions but here's a quick solution:

  1. Create a new Mailbox called "Junk"
  2. Create a new Mailbox called "Subscriptions"
  3. In Mail's preferences create three simple rules:

    Rule 1:
    Criteria: TO or CC: DOES NOT CONTAIN: "enter part of your domain name"
    Action: Move to folder: Junk

    Rule 2:
    Criteria: Body: CONTAINS: unsub
    Action: Move to folder: Junk

    Rule 3:
    Criteria: Body: CONTAINS: click here
    Action: Move to folder: Junk
If you subscribe to lists or newsletters, just add filters to move those mails to your Subscriptions Mailbox. Drag these rules above the spam filters in the Rules list so that they occur prior to spam filtering. For example:

Rule:
Criteria: From: CONTAINS: versiontracker
Action: Move to folder: Subscriptions

Now just peek in your Junk Mailbox every now and then and delete. Look in your Subscriptions Mailbox for newsletters and such.

The first rule blocks a ton of junk because spammers don't usually include a legitimate TO: header. It is also unlikely that your friends or co-workers will give you a chance to 'unsubscribe' to their emails. It is conceivable that a friend could send you an email to telling you to "click here", but we are about simplicity here.

While not perfect, these rules seem to have stemmed the tide of spam for others with whom I have shared this hint. It is also easier than blocking specific subjects as you don't have to create a hundred different rules with words like "rape" and "porn", etc.

Now I can hold out for the improved filters in OS 10.2. (aka Jaguar).

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