Using filtering software

In this section you will learn how to lower your chances of receiving spam from sites on the Web. However, what if you already receive a lot of spam? If you fit into that category, you have two choices. You can either create a new e-mail address or you can try some filtering software. There are thousands of different anti-spam software apps on the Web. Everyone is trying to cash in on spam. Because of the mass amounts of spam apps, it is a little difficult to find the best programs. No spam filtering app is 100 percent accurate. If they are anything close to 90 percent, that is great.

Use all of the different spam filters; instead, list of the best anti-spam apps below, so you can try out a few to find the program that works best for you.

McAfee SpamKiller:
SpamKiller is a good app that filters messages based on its database, which is automatically updated once a day. Aside from the standard filtering features that all anti-spam apps have, SpamKiller has a quarantine area for your spam and also allows you to report spam senders to McAfee to help them keep an up-to-date database. It supports Web-based e-mail accounts such as MSN and Hotmail, as well as POP3- and IMAPI-based e-mail accounts. SpamKiller costs around $40. Visit www.McAfee.com for more information.

K9:
K9 is another popular spam filtering app that allows you to filter your incoming mail from a constantly updated database as well as "statistical analysis". It supports only POP3-based e-mail accounts, but is available for free. Visit www.keir.net/k9.html to download a copy and for more info.

SAproxy Pro:
SAproxy Pro is another good program that uses the same database as McAfee Spamkiller (the open source spam assassin database). It includes all of the basic features of spam filters, as well as the effective Bayesian learning engine that allows the program to get smarter at catching spam based on what it observes you classifying as spam. Currently, SAproxy Pro only supports POP3-based e-mail accounts and sells for $30. Visit www.statalabs.com for more information.

Spam Inspector:
Spam Inspector filters all of the incoming mail using its own database that is updated by its users daily. Also gives users the ability to make messages bounce so it appears that your e-mail address no longer exists. Recently introduced fraud protection that automatically flags fraudulent scams that you may also receive. Spam Inspector currently supports Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, and Incredimail and sells for $20. Visit www.giantcompany.com to download a trial and for more information.

Cloudmark SpamNet:
SpamNet filters incoming mail based on its own database of spam that is updated from its 800,000+ subscriber base. This app works only with Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express. It installs a special toolbar in these applications that allows you to manage your spam. Unlike other commercial spam programs, SpamNet works on a subscription basis of $4 a month. SpamNet supports any e-mail accounts that you can use with Outlook and Outlook Express, including Hotmail and MSN e-mail accounts. Visit www.cloudmark.com/products/spamnet/ for more information.

If you are using Outlook Express, this blocking of external image links in HTML messages can be turned on by working with the Security tab of the Options window, located under the Tools menu bar item. If you are using a different e-mail program, you read through the Help files or contact the developer of your program to find out how to disable HTML images and other external content.

Outlook and Outlook Express also provide a safe sender list that allows you to enable this feature for only certain senders, such as messages from your bank or newsletters that you have signed up for. Just right-click a message and add the sender to your safe list to enable images and other external content for a specific sender.