Article URL: http://www.bc.edu/helpdocs/EM-spamfilter001.shtml

Summary:  Learn how to create your own email spam filter for even greater control of how these unwanted messages are filtered. Custom filters can be created to catch spam that is getting through undetected, or to allow legitimate email that is falsely identified as spam.

To create your own email spam filter that works in your favorite email application:

1. Open your Web browser and go to:  mail.bc.edu
   
   
2. Sign in to your email account with your BC username and password, then click SIGN IN (refer to Figure 1).
   
   Figure 1.
   
   
3. If you have already set up a "Junk" or "Spam" folder that your email application uses to put spam messages in, then go to Step 7.
   
   
4. From the left navigation, next to Folders, click (refer to Figure 2).
   
   Figure 2.
   
   
5. Enter a name for your spam folder (For example: "Junk" or "Spam"), then click Create (refer to Figure 3):
   
   Figure 3.
   
   
6. Confirm that your "Junk" or "Spam" folder was created: On the left navigation, under Folders, look for the new folder (refer to Figure 4).
   
   Figure 4.
   
   
7. Next, you need to set up rules for filtering spam into this folder: In the upper-right of WebMail, click Preferences (refer to Figure 5).
   
   Figure 5.
   
   
8. Click Filters (refer to Figure 6):
   
   Figure 6.
   
   
9. In the Filter Name box, enter a name for the filter (For example: "Spam" or "Junk"), then click Create Filter (refer to Figure 7). The filter name does not need to be the same as the folder.
   Note: Your newly created filter now appears below the Filter Name box.
   
   Figure 7.
   
   
10. Next to the filter name, click Edit (refer to Figure 8).
    
    Figure 8.
    
    
11. Under the For Incoming Messages heading, do the following (refer to Figure 9):
    • From the first drop-down list, select Header Field.
    • From the second drop-down list, select is.
    • In the text box, copy and paste or type this text exactly as shown: X-SpamCatcher-Score:*[XXXX*]
      This sets up your spam filter to flag incoming messages with a spam rating of 4 or more Xs as suspected spam. (Learn how spam control works.)
    • Want to catch more or less suspected spam?
      - To catch more suspected spam, change the number of X's to 3 or less. For example, type: X-SpamCatcher-Score:*[XXX*]
      - To catch less suspected spam, change the number of X's to 5 or 6. For example, type: X-SpamCatcher-Score:*[XXXXX*]
    
    Figure 9.
    
    
12. Under the Set the Action heading, do the following (refer to Figure 10):
    • From the first drop-down list, select Store in.
    • In the text box, enter the name of the folder you created for spam (For example: "Junk" or "Spam").
    • Click Update.
      This sets up your spam filter to move suspected spam into your newly created "Junk" or "Spam" folder.
    
    Figure 10.
    
    
13. From the drop-down list below the Store in drop-down list, select Discard, then click Update (refer to Figure 11). This removes the suspected spam message from your Inbox, so that it is only stored in the "Junk" or "Spam" folder.
    (Go back to Blackberry filter instructions.)
    
    Figure 11.
    
    
14. Your spam filter set up is now complete. You can continue to use your favorite email application to send and receive email, while this spam filter puts suspected spam into your "Junk" or "Spam" folder.
    
    
15. To sign out of WebMail: In the upper-right, click Sign Out.
    Remember: The spam filter is not perfect. Periodically, you need to check your newly created "Junk" or "Spam" folder to delete junk messages and to ensure that no valid messages were incorrectly filtered.

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