Creating a Spam Filter in Outlook 2000

The following steps describe how to set up an Outlook rule to filter spam e-mail.

1. First, open Outlook and select the Inbox, then click on "Tools, Rules Wizard."
2. A window will appear with your rules, if you have any defined. Click on the "New" button.
3. Choose "Check messages when they arrive," and click on the "Next>" button.
4. Scroll down and select "with specific words in the message header."  Then click on "specific words" in the bottom panel to edit it.
5. Select and copy (CTRL-C) the following phrase into your clipboard: "X-Spam-Level: sssss"
6. This needs to be copied exactly, including a space between the : (colon) and the sssss
7. Now paste it (CTRL-V) into the pop up window.
8. The number of s's indicates your tolerance for spam; the greater the number, the more tolerant you are. Ensure that there are no trailing spaces at the end of the s's. Click the "OK" button on the pop-up window.
9. The phrase should be embedded in the rule, as shown below. Click on the "Next>" button.
10. On the next window, choose "move it to specified folder." Then, click on the "specified" word in the bottom panel.
11. Outlook will open a window with your Outlook folders. Select "Inbox" and click on the "New" button.
12. The Create New Folder window opens. Type in "SPAM" in the "Name:" field and click on the "OK" button.
13. This will take you back to the folder window where you should see your new SPAM folder under the Inbox folder. Click on the "OK" button.
14. You should now be back at the Rules Wizard window with the SPAM folder selected in the bottom panel. Click on the "Finish" button.
15. You should now see your new rule. Click on the "Rename" button.
16. Enter "SPAM filter" in the pop-up window and click on the "OK" button.
17. Your new rule should be renamed to SPAM filter. Click on the "OK" button at the bottom of the Rules Wizard window.
18. Incoming mail that meets the Spam Assassin criteria will now be put into the SPAM folder. You should periodically review this folder to determine if the e-mails are legitimate or if they need to be deleted.