Advanced email tips Blocking spam

How to use the rules to minimise spam

Creating email 'rules' helps you hold back the tide of spam – unwanted email – entering your inbox. Here's how to put the Viagra peddlers of this world where they belong – in the rubbish bin.

In Outlook Express, highlight Local Folders in the left-hand panel, then select File > Folder > New from the main menu. Type Spam in the box provided. Click OK.

Now select Tools > Message Rules > Mail from the main menu. In the first section of the resulting window, select the conditions for your rule. Tick the boxes next to Where the message body contains specific words and Where the Subject line contains specific words. In section 2, tick the Action Move it to the specified folder.

Next, edit the description in section 3. Click on the first contains specific words link. To block Viagra dealers, for example type 'viagra' then click Add and then OK. Now click on the second contains specific words link and do the same. Finally, click on the link marked and. Change this setting to Messages match any one of the criteria.

Click specified in the line Move it to the specified folder. Click on your new Spam folder, then hit OK.

Finally, give this rule a name in the text box provided, click OK > Apply Now > Close.