To continue the example, say we want all messages with 'earn $$$ at home' in the subject line to be placed in the 'spamcan' folder we created. Check the 'move it to the specified folder' box, then in the 'rule description' pane, click the underlined link and specify the 'spamcan' folder as the target.

Now our rule is complete. Give it a name and click 'ok' to apply it to all future mail.

This is one example of how message rules can be useful, but I've found that when the message rules begin to pile up, they don't always work 100%. Other good uses are to funnel all email containing attachments into a separate folder where they can be handled with care, or even just organizing your mail by funneling messages from specific people to specific folders. There are more effective ways of organizing your email though, and we will look at one example of this later in the article when we combine message rules with a third party sorting program to try and block spam more proactively.

Blocking spam with Outlook Express

You can also use the message rules menu in Outlook Express to easily block mail from a specific address. This function (the 'blocked senders' list) automatically funnels all mail from these sources into the deleted mail folder. To set an address to be blocked:

Open Outlook Express, go to 'tools\message rules\blocked senders list'.

Click 'add' then type in the address you wish to block. Click 'ok.' That's it.