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How to Filter Spam in Outlook XP/2002

In a more aggressive effort to combat spam, the University's Information Technology Department will be flagging suspected spam e-mail in the subject line of e-mail you receive.

Any e-mail you receive that is suspected of being Spam will have [SPAM] on the subject line. Additionally, we will be flagging some e-mail with the word [EVALUATE] in the subject line. We are using this to flag e-mail that may or may not be spam, meaning that you should evaluate for yourself whether the e-mail is legitimate or not.

If a legitimate e-mail is flagged incorrectly, please forward the e-mail to helpdesk@usciences.edu so that we may correct it for the future.

The following instructions are designed to assist you in setting up a filter in Microsoft Outlook XP/2002 to move spam e-mail into a separate mailbox.

  • Open Outlook
  • Select the Tools menu item
  • Once the Tools menu is expanded select the Rules Wizard menu item
    A pop up window will appear
  • Select the New button
    The Rules Wizard window will appear in the center of your screen
  • Select Start from a blank rule
  • Highlight check messages when they arrive
  • Click the Next button
  • Under Step 1: Select Conditions, the only box with a checkmark should be with specific words in the subject
  • Under Step 2: Edit the rule description select specific words
    A pop up box should appear
  • In the box under the heading Specify words or phrases to search for in the subject: type in [SPAM] (you must type the brackets also)
  • Select the Add button and it will place the phrase in the search text box

     

    Special Note: You can add the phrase [EVALUATE] by repeating the last two steps. [EVALUATE] is the flag we use for mail that the computer suspects to be spam but is not exactly sure.

  • Once you have completed adding words to your search list, select the OK button
  • Select Next
  • Under Step 1: What do you want to do with the message
    The only box that should be checked is Move it to the specified folder
  • Under Step 2: Edit the rule description click on specified
  • A pop up box will appear
  • You can select an existing folder to move the spam to and click OK or create a new folder

Instructions to Select an Existing Folder

Select the existing folder that you would like to move the e-mail that is flagged [SPAM] such as Deleted Items or Junk E-Mail. The folder you select should be highlighted in blue. Then select the OK button and continue past the next section

Instructions to Create a New Folder

Select the New button
The Create a New Folder box should pop up
The Folder Contains: drop down box should read Mail and Post Items
For Microsoft Exchange Users be sure to select the Mailbox – {with your name}
Non-Exchange Users be sure to select Personal Folders.
In the Name text box enter the name of your new folder, such as [SPAM]
Select the OK button
The folder you just created should be highlighted
Click the OK button

Everyone Continue:

  • Your folder should be selected
  • Select the OK button
  • Under Step 2: Edit the rule description, Review the rule
  • Select OK
  • Make sure you select all the boxes and click Finish
  • Then click OK

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