Do you need a spam filter?

While antivirus, anti-spyware and firewall applications are essential components of computer/Internet security, spam filters are not. Most commercial spam is time-wasting but not harmful, and most spam containing infections is only dangerous if you open the message or its attachments. Internet Explorer 7 and 8, as well as antivirus and firewall programs, all protect against phishing scams. If you use Gmail, experts say its excellent spam filters make using a second anti-spam program largely unnecessary.

Most anti-spam applications require training to learn what you consider spam and what you consider legitimate mail. With training, the programs become progressively more effective at filtering. Experts say that a month of training is typically required. While no anti-spam programs require that you review quarantined messages, you are likely to want to know if your program is blocking legitimate messages. Base your decision on whether the time commitment to use an anti-spam program is greater than the time you currently spend deleting spam.

In the reviews we found, the best, most expensive spam filters block one legitimate message out of every 200 messages received. If that one message is important, that might be one too many.

In addition to the points raised elsewhere in this report, here are some things to consider before selecting a spam filter:

  • Check compatibility with your provider. Before paying for anti-spam software, make sure it is compatible with your Internet mail provider. Check to see if your service provider offers you POP3, IMAP or another access protocol.
  • Verify compatibility with your email program. Some spam filters only work with Outlook and Outlook Express. They don't support alternative email clients like Eudora or Mozilla's Thunderbird, or even Vista's Windows Mail or Windows 7's Windows Live Mail. Web-based spam blockers like ClearMyMail can work with almost any email client.
  • Not all spam filters work with all services. America Online uses its own proprietary mail system, but AOL now lets users configure AOL as POP3 mail. That makes AOL compatible with more spam blockers than in the past. Web-based email such as Yahoo and Hotmail can also be tricky.
  • Check to see if you already have a spam filter. Most major Internet service providers already offer some kind of spam blockers. Experts say that they work to varying degrees, catching 40 percent to 80 percent of junk mail. MSN Hotmail allows users to build an approved senders list and filters out any message from an unknown address. Earthlink has similar features, with a challenge/response authentication system to handle messages from addresses not on the approved list. Some applications, like Microsoft Outlook, have many spam filtering options. Reviewers say your best bet is to try tools you already have before buying separate anti-spam software.

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