Filtering SPAM in Outlook
By: Brien M. Posey
Reprinted With Permission From
Junk E-mail, or Spam, is one of the biggest problems that
Exchange administrators have to deal with. In addition to being annoying, Spam
often carries viruses or malicious scripts. Spam can also impact productivity. A
friend recently told me that his company loses about 10 man hours per week to
getting rid of Spam.
The biggest problem with getting rid of Spam is that
there’s no sure fire method that works 100% of the time. Outlook comes with a
crude Spam filter, but the filter leaves a lot to be desired. There are also
third party Spam filters, such as Inbox Protector. The problem with such
programs is that they tend to mark important messages as junk mail. For me, the
best technique for getting rid of Spam has been to create my own Spam filters
for Outlook.
To create a Spam Filter, open Outlook and select the Rules
Wizard command from the Tools menu. Next, click the New button to create a new
rule. When you do, you’ll see a screen appear that contains a list of various
templates. Select the Move Messages Based on Content rule and click Next. On the
next screen, make sure that the With Specific Words In Subject or Body check box
is selected and click Next. Now, on the bottom half of the dialog box, click the
Specified link and select the Deleted Items folder. Doing so will automatically
move messages that meet your criteria to the Deleted Items folder.
Now comes the real trick. When you click on the Specific
Words link, you’re given the chance to input words or phrases that will be used
to differentiate between Spam and important E-mail.
I’ve found that Spam falls into several general
categories. These categories include general junk mail, casino adds, adult
content, make money, free products, debt / finance, and personal health. In the
sections below, I’ve listed several words or phrases that you might use to
filter the various types of Spam. The list is by no means complete, but it
should be enough to get you started. I apologize in advance for some of the
language used as filter words.
General Junk Mail
To be removed
Order now
Order within
This E-mail complies
No obligation
Call now
Chain letter
Act now
Removed in subject line
Full refund
Order by phone
Order by fax
For only $
Cash back
Major credit cards
An invitation to
Why wait
Casino Adds
Loosest slots
Video poker
Online casino
Single deck black jack
Largest payoff
Adult Content
Young girls
Youngest teens
18 or older
phone sex
1 on 1
girl on girl
hardcore
sex videos
lesbian
sluts
pussy
dick
penis
rock hard
Make Money
Not multi-level
Not mlm
Not multilevel
Get rich
Mlm
E-mail marketing
Broadcast E-mail
Increase sales
000 per day
000 per week
000 per month
home based business
make money
home business
retirement business
big money
Free Products
No obligation
Try it for free
Free to the first
Vacation giveaway
Debt / Finance
Debt consolidation
Non secured
Bad credit
Liens
Bankruptcy
Credit counseling
Second mortgage
Home equity
Equity line of credit
Lowest mortgage interest rates
Consolidate today
No more debt
Credit approval
Money problems
You’re already approved
Rates slashed
Student loans
Rate quote
Personal Health
Viagra
Herbal remedies
Lose 10 pounds
Doctor approved pill
Hair loss
Stop balding
Look younger
Burn fat
Over weight
After you’ve compiled your word list, you’ll have a chance
to create an exception rule. I chose to set the exception to people in my
address book. You might also specify some specific users if you have friends who
send you dirty jokes and aren’t on your distribution list
Click Next and you’ll be asked to enter a name for the new
rule. Call the rule something like Spam Filter and click Finish and OK to create
the rule.
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