How to configure Apple Mail’s Junk Mail filter
Have you been experiencing a number of e-mails starting to slip through your spam mail controls? Is there someone extremely desperate on an online dating service that just won’t get the hint? (read the below notice first if that is your scenario, though). Here is how you can configure Apple Mail’s junk mail filters to work their best for YOU.
NOTICE: This could be equated to being blocked on Instant Messenger and you might want to consider talking to the affected person before you decide to block them. There should be a set of Dynamics to Blocking People. Many times, in good faith, people will respect your requests and this will probably go a long way for your friendships. Especially if you are the kind of person that wants to make friends instead of enemies.
First, we are going to open up Apple Mail. Notice how I have not selected a mail box in ANY of my screenshots. Yeah, I am not going to show you my mail. It’s kinda personal and I keep most of it confidential due to my Code of Ethics.
Next, we are going to go into Preferences.
Then, while we have our preferences window open, let’s click on the Spam tab, shall we? At the bottom of the dialog, there are two buttons. Click on Advanced…
Okay, now that we are here - we can create custom spam rules. There are numerous scenarios where this could be vastly useful so let’s just explore a few of them, shall we? Don’t worry, this will not affect your current e-mail.
- Allowing a friend to send you e-mail - Do you have a friend or a business partner that needs to send you e-mail and it always gets caught in your spam folder? To do so, create a new rule by clicking the plus sign by an existing rule, select “from”, select “does not contain” and enter your friend’s e-mail address. Repeat for all your friends. (Note: By default - the people in your address book are not considered spammers by Apple Mail so you might also want to consider adding all your friend’s data into Address Book. Plus, that gives you additional benefits as well.
- Prohibiting someone from sending you e-mail - Is an annoying ex getting on your last nerve? Well, fortunately, you can create a spam filter that helps you to block much of the e-mail you recieve from them. It is created in much the same way as in the previous scenario, except instead of “”, you will select “”.
- Advanced spam filters - Okay, someone isn’t getting the message and they aren’t going to easily leave you alone. Here is when advanced spam filters come in handy. They can block e-mail based on several factors:
- Sender is in a specific group in Address Book - Yes, you can specify a specific group of losers in Address Book to block.
- Message Content - You can filter e-mail based on whether or not it contains certain content.
- Subject - If the subject usually contains certain keywords, that can help cut down on the spam you receive from them.