How to Stop Spam Emails?

Spams can be stubborn and annoying; you need a few tactics to control them. Spams are unasked bulk emails sent without consent. Usually, for commercial purposes, but it might also be disguised as a phishing email. With the intent of infecting your device. Handling spam can be tricky, but don’t worry; we’ve got your back! Here are 11 ways you can stop and reduce spam. The first thing to remember is to be patient with the whole process. Deleting spams, using filters and even blocking is not a long-term answer. Spammers will always find ways to send you an extra email in your box.

1. Delete all your spam in one go.

Gmail:

• Log in to your Gmail account
• In the search bar at the top, type ‘in:spam’ (without quotes) and press Enter. This will display all your junk emails.
• Click the checkbox at the top left and select all the spam emails on this page.
• At the top of the inbox, click ‘Select all (number) conversations in Spam’.
• After all the junk emails are selected. Click the ‘Delete’ to move them to the Rubbish folder.
• To permanently delete them, go to the Rubbish folder and click ‘Empty Rubbish now.’

Outlook:

• Log in to your Outlook account.
• On the left-hand menu, click ‘Junk Email’ or ‘Spam.’
• Select the checkbox at the top to select all spam emails.
• Click the ‘Delete’ or ‘Move to Deleted’ option.
• To permanently delete them, go to the Deleted Items folder and click ‘Empty folder.’

Yahoo Mail:

• Log in to your Yahoo Mail account.
• On the left-hand side, click on ‘Spam’ to view your spam folder.
• Select the checkbox at the top to select all spam emails.
• Click the ‘Delete’ button to move them to the Rubbish folder.
• To permanently delete them, go to the Rubbish folder and click ‘Empty’ or ‘Empty Rubbish.’

Apple Mail (on macOS):

• Open your Mail app on your Mac
• Click on the ‘Junk’ or ‘Spam’ folder in the left sidebar.
• Click the first spam email.
• Hold ‘Shift’ and click the last one to select all in between.
• Press ‘Delete’ on your keyboard.
• Or, use the ‘Message’ menu and select ‘Move to Rubbish’ or ‘Delete.’
• Instead, right-click and choose ‘Move to Rubbish’ or ‘Delete.’
• Click the ‘Rubbish’ folder in the sidebar.
• To permanently delete them, go to the ‘Mailbox’ menu. Select ‘Erase Deleted Items’ or ‘Empty Rubbish.’

2. Unsubscribe from the newsletters.

• Open the newsletter or promotional email you want to unsubscribe from. Scroll to the bottom of the email. Usually, there’s an unsubscribe link at the bottom.
• Look for a link that says ‘Unsubscribe,’ ‘Opt-out,’ or ‘Manage Preferences.’ Click on the link.
• You may be taken to a webpage where you need to follow further instructions. They might ask you to confirm your address, select specific email lists to unsubscribe from, or provide a reason for unsubscribing.
• Confirm Unsubscription.

3. Report the email as spam.

Go to your inbox and find the email you want to report as spam.

Gmail:

Below the subject line, click ‘Report spam’ button at the top of the message.

Outlook:

The ‘Junk’ option is in the toolbar at the top of the message. Click on it and choose ‘Report as Junk.’

Yahoo Mail:

Look for the ‘Spam’ button in the toolbar at the top of the message.

Apple Mail (on macOS):

• You can click the ‘Junk’ button in the toolbar in Apple Mail.
• iPhones: Select the spam email. Tap the ‘Flag’ icon. Choose ‘Move to Junk’ or ‘Move to Spam.’
• Confirm: You may be asked to confirm your action. Confirm to move the mail to your junk folder.

4. Block spam email addresses.

Consider blocking the sender if you consistently receive unwanted emails from the same address. This will prevent future emails from that sender from reaching your inbox. In Gmail:

1. Open the email from the sender you want to block.
2. Click the three vertical dots (more options) in the top-right corner.
3. Select ‘Block [sender’s name]’ or ‘Block this email.’
4. Confirm your action if prompted.

In Outlook:

1. Open the message from the sender you would like to block.
2. Click on the ‘Junk’ dropdown menu in the toolbar.
3. Select ‘Block’ or ‘Block Sender.’

In Yahoo:

1. Open the message from the sender you want to block.
2. Click the ‘More’ option (three dots) in the toolbar.
3. Select ‘Block’ or ‘Block Sender.’

In Apple Mail (macOS):

1. Open the email from the sender you wish to block.
2. Click ‘Message’ in the top menu.
3. Choose ‘Move to Junk’ or ‘Mark as Junk.’

5. Use Filters to Block Spam.

Filtering options allow you to move spam emails to a folder directly. You can set filters to block emails. You can restrict specific companies or certain keywords. Words like ‘free,’ ‘discount,’ or ‘limited time offer.’ Regularly review your spam folder to ensure no important emails get caught in the filter.

Gmail:

Open Gmail and log in to your Gmail account. Open the Spam Folder: Regularly check your Junk folder. If you find any useful emails in the Junk folder, select them and mark them as ‘Not Spam.’ Create a Filter:

• Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner of your Gmail interface.
• Select ‘See all settings.’
• Go to the ‘Filters and Blocked Addresses’ tab.
• Click ‘Create a new filter.’
• Define Filter Criteria.
• In the ‘From’ field, enter specific email addresses or domains you want to block.
• You can use criteria like subject keywords, recipient, or message size.
• Click ‘Create Filter.’
• Choose what action you want Gmail to take with the filtered emails.
• You can Delete, archive, mark them as read or apply a label.
• Click ‘Create Filter’ again to save your settings.
• Gmail will apply the filter to existing emails that meet the filter. Future emails will be filtered automatically.

Outlook (Microsoft 365):

• Look in your Junk Email folder to see if Outlook’s spam filter captures unwanted emails.
• Create a Rule: Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
• Select ‘View all Outlook settings.’
• Go to ‘Mail’ > ‘Rules.’
• Click ‘Add a new rule.’
• Define Rule Criteria:
• Specify criteria for filtering spam emails. Such as sender email addresses, keywords in the subject, or message body.
• Select ‘Move to’ or ‘Delete’ as you require.
• Click ‘Save’ to create the rule. Outlook will apply this rule to future emails.

Yahoo email:

• Check the Spam folder to see if Yahoo’s built-in spam filter is catching junk emails.
• Create a Filter.
• Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
• Select ‘More Settings.’
• Go to ‘Filters’ in the left sidebar.
• Click ‘Add’ to create a new filter.
• Set filter criteria: such as sender addresses, subject keywords, or message content.
• Select ‘Move the message to’ or ‘Delete it’ as you require.
• Click ‘Save’ to create the filter. Yahoo Mail will automatically apply the filter to future emails.

6. Apps and extensions to help.

Email Spam Filters:

SPAMfighter (Windows): SPAMfighter is a software tool that helps block spams. It helps keep your inbox free from annoying and harmful emails. Download SPAMfighter. SpamSieve (Mac): SpamSieve is a Mac tool that sorts your emails. It keeps spam out and puts important emails in your inbox. You can direct it about what’s spam and what’s not. It works seamlessly with Apple Mail and helps keep your email organized. Download SpamSieve.

Browser Extensions:

Unroll.me: Unroll.Me can help manage and unsubscribe from multiple mail subscriptions at once. SaneBox: SaneBox is another alternate that helps with email management. It is a tool that helps organize your inbox by automatically sorting and prioritizing emails. So you can focus on the most important messages and reduce mail clutter. Superhuman: The Superhuman extension is famous for various tasks. It focuses on speed, productivity, and user experience. It offers features like lightning-fast mail search, read receipts, follow-up reminders, and a streamlined interface. Adblock Plus: While primarily designed for blocking ads, Adblock Plus can also help block certain types of spammy pop-ups and ads. Beehive (Chrome): Beehive is an extension that helps block spammy and annoying emails. MailWasher: MailWasher is a program that helps you screen your mail for spam before downloading it to your email client.

7. Spam Reporting

Stop Facebook Spam Emails:

• Log into your Facebook account.
• Click the Down Arrow in the upper-right corner.
• Select ‘Settings & Privacy’ and then ‘Settings.’
• Go to ‘Notifications.’
• Adjust your email notification preferences.
• Save changes to apply the new settings.

Facebook has features to report and block spam accounts and content. Report/Block Facebook spam.

Stop Twitter Spam:

• Log in to your Twitter account.
• Click on your profile picture.
• Select ‘Settings and Privacy.’
• Go to ‘Email Notifications.’
• Uncheck the types of emails you want to stop receiving.
• Save changes.

Twitter has features to report and block spam accounts and content. Report/Block Twitter spam.

Stop Instagram Spam Emails:

• Open the Instagram app or website and log in.
• Go to your profile.
• Tap the three horizontal lines for the menu.
• Select ‘Settings’ > ‘Privacy and Security’ > ‘Emails from Instagram.’
• Choose email notification preferences or turn off notifications.

For marketing emails: Look for an ‘unsubscribe’ or ‘opt-out’ link in the footer. Instagram has features to report and block spam accounts and content. Report/ Block Instagram Spam

Community and Forum Spam Control:

Stop Forum Spam: A database of known forum and blog spammers that can be integrated into your website to block spammy registrations and posts. Fill Stop Forum Spam. SpamCop: An email spam reporting service that allows you to report spam emails. SpamCop Forum.

8. Use an email alias.

You can always create an email alias for unimportant emails. Use it for newsletters, online services, or making online purchases. This will allow you to sort, block, or move emails easily. Separating your mailing lists according to your preferences.

9. Limit giving your email address.

Avoid sharing your address on websites, forums, or social media stages. It provides access to websites to put your address in the newsletter list.

10. Regularly update your email password.

Updating your login password might be more necessary than you think. Changing your password periodically reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your account. When setting your password, remember that it should contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

11. Install Antivirus Software.

Use reliable antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your computer from email-borne threats, which can often come with spam emails. Get help with antivirus.

Conclusion

Managing spam is one big task, but with patience, tricks and apps you can do it all! Keeping your online safety is crucial, and it is in your hands. Leaving email addresses on websites, and inviting spam is leaving breadcrumbs for spammers and hackers, try not to do that. Filter your mailbox, remove yourself from unnecessary newsletters, and Voilà! You’re one step ahead of the hackers. Spams were never good and will not be. If you are tired of repeating all the hacks, we are here to help! Get help with your email filtering.

Sam Ashford - Author

Hey, I'm Sam Ashford! I have 20 years of experience in the IT industry. I have worked as a security analyst, trainer, and writer at Synergy-UK for over ten years.