📧 Email Spam Filters
Create custom Email filters to block unwanted emails by sender, domain, keywords, or size.
What Are Spam Filters?​
Filters automatically delete, block, or move emails that match your rules.
How they work:
- Email arrives matching your filter rule
- Automatically gets deleted or moved to spam
- Never reaches your inbox
- Saves you from unwanted mail
Creating a Filter​
Step 1: Go to Email Filters​
- Log into Web Control Panel
- Go to Email Manager > SPAM Filters or Email Filters
Step 2: Create New Filter​
Click Create or Add Filter button
Step 3: Set Filter Rule​
Block By: Choose what to filter on (dropdown):
- Email - Specific Email address
- Domain - Entire domain (*.example.com)
- Drop words - Keywords in subject or body
- Size - Email size in bytes
Value: Enter what to block:
- For Email:
[email protected] - For Domain:
badsite.comor*.badsite.com - For Drop words:
Viagra,Click here, etc. - For Size:
5000000(5MB in bytes)
Step 4: Choose Action​
Action for filter matches:
- Drop Email - Delete automatically (gone forever)
- Send to spambox - Move to spam folder (can recover)
Step 5: Options​
- Adult Filter - Check if filtering adult content
- Disabled - Check to temporarily disable without deleting
Step 6: Save​
Click BLOCK or CREATE button
Filter is now active.
Filter Examples​
Block Specific Sender​
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Block By | |
| Value | [email protected] |
| Action | Drop Email |
Result: All emails from this sender deleted.
Block Entire Domain​
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Block By | Domain |
| Value | spam-site.com |
| Action | Send to spambox |
Result: All emails from anyone @spam-site.com go to spam.
Block Keyword​
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Block By | Drop words |
| Value | "Get rich quick" |
| Action | Drop Email |
Result: Emails with this phrase deleted.
Block Large Files​
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Block By | Size |
| Value | 10000000 |
| Action | Drop Email |
Result: Emails over 10MB deleted.
Managing Filters​
View Your Filters​
- Go to Email Manager > SPAM Filters
- See list of all active filters
- Shows type and target
Edit Filter​
- Click on the filter
- Modify the rule or action
- Click Save or Update
Disable Temporarily​
- Find the filter
- Check Disabled box
- Click Save
- Filter won't run until re-enabled
Delete Filter​
- Find the filter
- Click Delete or trash icon
- Confirm deletion
- Filter removed
Filter Strategies​
Strategy 1: Aggressive Blocking​
Block everything suspicious:
- Block certain domains permanently
- Block keywords known to be spam
- Use "Drop Email" action
- Regularly review for legit emails
Risk: May miss legitimate email
Strategy 2: Safe Filtering​
Keep emails but organize:
- Use "Send to spambox" instead of drop
- Reviews spam folder regularly
- Move legitimate emails to inbox
- Less risk of losing important email
Benefit: Can recover if filter too aggressive
Strategy 3: Smart Keywords​
Block only specific phrases:
- "Free money"
- "Claim prize"
- "Urgent action required"
- "Verify account"
Result: Blocks common spam while safe emails pass through
Combining with Whitelist​
Best practice:
- Set up whitelist (important senders)
- Then set up filters (block unwanted)
- Important emails never caught by filters
See Spam Filters - Combining with Whitelist for how to whitelist.
Tips & Best Practices​
Do:
- Start with "Send to spambox" (safer)
- Test filters with sample emails
- Review spam folder occasionally
- Use specific rules (not too broad)
- Document what filters do
Don't:
- Block entire domains without checking
- Use "Drop Email" for all filters
- Create conflicting filters
- Forget to disable before testing
Troubleshooting​
Legitimate Email Getting Blocked​
Check:
- Review filter rules
- Is there a matching filter?
- Check spam folder (can recover)
Fix:
- Delete or disable the filter
- Move Email from spam to inbox
- Whitelist the sender if important
Filter Not Working​
Check:
- Is the filter still in list?
- Is it disabled?
- Does the rule match exactly?
Test:
- Send test Email matching filter
- Check if it gets blocked/moved
- Verify action is correct
Too Many False Positives​
Solution:
- Change action from "Drop" to "Send to spambox"
- Make rules more specific (less broad)
- Use exact phrases instead of single words
Advanced Options​
Adult Filter​
Check Adult Filter box to filter adult content automatically.
Disabled​
Check Disabled box to keep filter but not apply it.
Useful for:
- Testing before activating
- Temporary disable while investigating
- Archive rules you may need later
Related Topics​
- SpamAssassin Setup - AI-powered spam protection
- Managing Email Accounts - Manage spam folder
- Email Server Setup - Server configuration
Need help? Contact support - available 24/7!