This document focuses on the setup of filters to move and eliminate messages tagged as spam by SpamAssassin. This walk-through will enable you to create such rules to move junk mail to other folders, delete it immediately, or highlight for later viewing. This document will focus on client-only configuration. Please also check the examples page along with the SpamAssassin configuration page.

Open Microsoft Outlook Express.

As you can see from the image below, I have received a serious of spam messages. These messages are usually annoying but since they have been caught and tagged by SpamAssassin, I can now create a power filter in Outlook Express to move the tagged spam to a new folder.

Note #1: Also notice that the spam message in the image has not only had its subject line modified from 'Here's Your Regular PC Check Up' to 'SOHO.SpamDetect - Here's Your Regular PC Check Up', but SpamAssassin has also eliminated the risks involved in opening this spam message from filtering out any viruses to attaching the spam message so that you do not have to view it unless you know its something you want.

Note #2: If you do receive a message you want to keep, simply drag the attached message from the email it is attached to to the Inbox or another folder where you would like it moved to. This will allow you to treat it like any normal message.

Note #3: Notice that the points system used by SpamAssassin is documented in the message. This provides information to you and to your mail administrators if anything goes wrong. You will also be able to send messages to an address that will block a specific user or type of message from from being delivered to your mail box again. Look at the top of this manual for details.

Lets first start by creating a New Folder. Do this by right clicking on Local Folders and selecting New Folder (left click this time).

The Create Folder dialog box appears. Follow the instructions below to complete this task:

1. Enter the Name Junk Mail into the first text box.

2. Select the Local Folders item in the bottom box.

When finished, select OK.

Good, we now have a folder to stick all this junk into. Lets move on and create our spam rule.

Start by going to the Tools menu option. Select Message Rules from the drop down menu. A sub-menu will apear, select Mail.

This will open up the New Mail Rule dialog box as shown below. This dialog box allows for the creation of mail handling rules in Outlook Express

Follow the instructions below to complete the task:

1. In the box labeled Conditions for your rule: Select the Where the Subject line contains specific words checkbox.

2. In the box labeled Actions for your rule: Select the Move it to the specified folder checkbox.

3. In the box labeled Name of the rule: Input a name for your rule.

Now click on the contains specific words link to move on to the next step.

Clicking on the link opens up the Type Specific Words dialog box. Enter SOHO.SpamDetect into the top text box. Now click the Add button.

The phrase appears in the box below. Select OK to continue.

This will place you back at the New Mail Rule dialog box. Now click on the specified link to define the folder to move the spam to.

Doing so opens up the Move dialog box. Select the Junk Folder from within the list of folders and then click OK.

Back at the New Mail Rule dialog box, everything appears to be in order. The rule states the following:

Apply this rule afte the message arrives

Where the Subject line contains 'SOHO.SpamDetect'

Move it to the Junk Mail folder

Now that we have finished creating the rule, click OK.

You are now back at the Message Rules box. Ensure that the new rule's check box is checked and then click the Apply Now button.

Doing so opens the Apply Mail Rules Now dialog box. Select the rule you created and ensure that it will be Applied to Folder: Inbox. Click the Apply Now button.

This lets you know that the rule has been executed in the folder Inbox. Click OK to continue.

We are finished now with the Apply Mail Rules Now dialog box. Select the Close button.

We are finished now with the Message Rules dialog box. Select OK to continue.

Looks like all that nasty spam that SpamAssassin tagged is now out of the Inbox.

Just to certify that it worked, click on the Junk Mail folder in the Folders list to ensure its all there.

Looks like the filter caught all of the tagged messages so it looks like we are done. Try experimenting with the filters in Outlook Express. They can be used to create a more effecient email experience. If you have further questions, please feel free to ask them in our support forums.