simple steps to block an unwanted sender
If you use email regularly, you are likely to receive numerous messages from a variety of sources. Although many of these messages are legitimate, some may be unwanted spam, phishing emails or contain malicious attachments. Whether it is a persistent spammer or someone you no longer want to communicate with, the good news is that there are multiple ways to block an unwanted sender from your inbox. In this article, we'll cover the simple steps you can take to block unwanted senders and protect your inbox from spam and other undesirable messages.
Step 1: Identify the Sender
The first step to blocking an unwanted sender is to identify who it is. In most email clients, such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook, you can view the sender's email address or name. If you receive an email from a sender you don't recognize, it's recommended not to open the email and delete it instead.
If you're unsure whether the sender is legitimate or not, you can perform a quick search on Google to check their reputation. You can also check with your contacts to see if they are familiar with the sender.
Step 2: Use the Block or Spam Button
Most email providers offer a block or spam feature that lets you filter out unwanted messages. Whenever you receive a suspicious or unwanted message, simply use the "block" or "spam" button. This will immediately move the unwanted email to your spam or trash folder and prevents any future messages from that sender from reaching your inbox.
The exact location of the "block" or "spam" button may vary depending on the email provider you use, but it is typically located near the top of the message or in the dropdown menu beside the sender's name.
Step 3: Create Filters
If you're receiving unwanted messages from multiple senders, creating filters is an effective method to block them automatically. Filters work by applying certain actions to incoming emails, such as moving them to specific folders or deleting them automatically.
Most email providers, such as Gmail and Outlook, offer filters as part of their email functionality. To create a filter, simply navigate to your settings and locate the "filters" or "rules" section. From there, you can add specific criteria such as the sender's address or keywords in the subject or body of the email. Once you've added these rules, the email system will automatically apply them to all incoming messages. This way, you can block unwanted emails from multiple senders with just a few clicks.
Step 4: Use Third-Party Spam Blockers
If you're still receiving unwanted emails despite using the previous methods, you can use third-party spam blockers to eliminate unwanted messages. These spam blockers can examine incoming emails for known spam messages and malicious attachments and prevent them from reaching your inbox.
There are many third-party spam blockers to explore. Some of the popular options include SpamAssassin, MailWasher, and Spamfighter. Some of these also provide additional features, such as virus scanning and phishing protection.
Step 5: Keep Your Inbox Safe
Blocking unwanted senders is only one part of keeping your inbox safe. You should also take some precautionary measures to prevent spam messages from reaching your inbox in the first place. These measures include:
- Never reply to spam messages, as this confirms that your email address is active, which can result in an increase in spam messages.
- Use a strong spam filter that can detect and filter out unwanted messages automatically.
- Be careful when sharing your email address online and only share it with trusted sources.
- Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.
- Unsubscribe from newsletters and promotions that you no longer want to receive.
Wrapping Up
Blocking unwanted senders and eliminating spam messages from your inbox might seem like a difficult task, but there are many simple steps you can take. By combining these steps with some precautionary measures, you can keep your inbox spam-free and ensure that only legitimate and wanted messages reach your inbox. So, be smart and stay safe!