Function

• The main function of spam filters is to filter out unwanted emails, and prevent them from crowding your email inbox. Spam filters use a variety of methods to achieve this end, including using database analysis to determine common spam senders, special readers that pick up on language commonly used in spam emails, and black lists that bar entire domains from emailing you.
  
  

Types

• There are two types of spam blockers: internal Web-based blockers and software add-ons. Internal spam blockers are a commonly touted feature of Web-mail services, such as Gmail and Hotmail. They are generally powered by evolving databases containing blacklisted senders. While these blockers are not very powerful, they do eliminate spam from known offenders.
  
  

Benefits

• The most immediate benefit of having a spam blocker is that it will dramatically decrease the amount of emails that you have to deal with in your inbox. However, using spam blockers provides other benefits as well. Having a spam blocker will also protect you from receiving emails with virus attachments or other malicious software and will also shield you from phishing scams, designed to steal your personal information.
  
  

Misconceptions

• Although spam filters are very effective tools for reducing the amount of spam you receive in your inbox on a regular basis, they do not eliminate it altogether. If you see a message that looks like spam, then it probably is. Be careful not to open attachments from senders you don't recognize, and don't send out any personal information, no matter how urgent the email sounds.
  
  

Warning

• Be wary of Internet-based spam blockers that you have to download. While some spam blocking software like DSPAM (for Windows and Mac) and SpamAssassin (for Linux) are legitimate, it is not uncommon to find a site that purports to offer spam blocking software for download, but instead provides you with malicious adware, spyware, and even viruses.