How to Set Up Junk Filters in Thunderbird

Junk filters are another word for spam filters.  Spam, or junk, e-mail are like telemarketing calls.  They are annoying, obnoxious and are often trying to sell you something you do not need.  Spam e-mail is also synonymous with phishing expeditions.  Phishing is an act of someone over the Internet trying to get personal information from you, such as your credit card information, your banking information or other pertinent personal information.  Thunderbird junk filters help redirect spam e-mails and keep them out of your inbox.

Open up Thunderbird and go to the Tools tab, from there navigate to Account Settings. Click on Junk Settings. Check the tabs down the list and you can choose if you want to trust potential junk headers from either SpamAssassin or SpamPal. Both are reputable spam fighters. They will help filter out potential threats before they hit your e-mail inbox.

You can also designate a Junk Folder that will filter junk mail to for you to go through that way you can find any e-mails that might find their way there. It will take some time for Thunderbird to read the junk filters. You will be able to help Thunderbird set the filters by clicking the flame in the column next to the e-mail. This will alert the filter that the e-mail is actually spam and should be weeded out the next time an e-mail with those particular headers is sent your way.

By setting up junk filters in Thunderbird, you protect yourself from spam, poaching and other useless e-mails.  This helps cut down the time you have to wade through your e-mails, figure out which ones are important and which ones are not.  It also helps protect you from viruses, Trojans and other phishing e-mails.  Thunderbird junk filters protect you without having to spend too much time protecting yourself.  Once Thunderbird's junk filters are fully functional, you will cut down the amount of spam you receive for the most part.  Every once in awhile something will cut through but for the most part, you will be safe from harm.