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Configuring Outlook to filter spam

This page details how to configure Outlook 97 to filter e-mail marked as possible spam by MelbPC's mail server.

Outlook 97 does not have the capability to create filters based on other than a few standard header lines. This means that to use SpamAssassin to identify spam you need it to add an identifying subject tag (such as ??Spam??). If you wish to change the subject tag please read the SpamAssassin FAQ and then change your individual SpamAssassin preferences
Step 1

Start Outlook and then Tools > Rules Wizard.

Select New.

Step 2

For Which type of rule do you want to create? select Move messages based on content from the drop down menu.

For When do you want to apply the rule? select When I receive a message in my Inbox.

For Rule Description click specific words and enter ??Spam??.

Next click specified.

Step 3

Select where you wish to add the new subfolder - Personal Folders in this example.

Click New and enter a name - Spam in this example.

Finally click Finish.

The end result should resemble this:

Step 4

If you routinely receive e-mail such as newsletters that are labelled with ??Spam?? you can either whitelist the sender through individual SpamAssassin preferences (preferable) or create a rule to process it before the ??Spam?? rule as described below.

It's easiest to use an existing e-mail as a template to ensure the filter works. Open a relevant e-mail then Tools > Create Rule.

Step 5

Tick the criteria to filter on - from Newsletter in this example.

Step 6

Click Next and tick move it to the specified folder.

Click on specified and select or create the desired folder - Newsletter in this example. Click Finish.

Step 7

Return to the main Outlook window and click Tools > Rules Wizard. You should see something resembling this:

Ensure the Newsletter filter is above the ??Spam?? filter. Arrange other filters as desired, noting the filters operate in order top to bottom.

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