How to Block Spam Emails? [2023 Ultimate Guide]

Fortunately, email services have default blockers on their system. For example, AI filters empower Gmail to block nearly 100 million spam messages daily. 

However, as blockers develop, so are the ways of spamming. The 2021 email compromise that blew an $8.12 million loss is a reminder of how cunning spam emails are getting. 

Stop spam emails and outsmart them across different platforms using the tips and tricks in this article. Dive in!

Spam Emails: How to Block Them? 

The world-renowned tech company, Cisco, defines spam emails as: 

However, not all bulk messages are spam—especially permission-based ones. 

Spams are rarely direct emails from advertisers. They're usually from a spamming party bound by a deal between them and the legit advertiser. 

Also, there are many ways spammers find your email address. They can buy your email address or collect them from brands or programs.

Learning how to block spam mail is the best way to prevent spammers from reaching you again. 

Stopping Spam Emails on Gmail

With over 1.8 billion people using Gmail, it is today's leading email platform. This means that it also receives most spam emails from scammers and attackers.

Use these methods to permanently stop spam from lurking in your Gmail account. 

Method 1: Reporting the Message as Spam

You can report messages as spam through a Gmail web browser or the Gmail app on your mobile device. Here's how:

Using Web Browser

1. Open the message you think is spam. 
2. Click the Report Spam icon at the message's top left.

3. Gmail will block those messages from your account. 

Using the Gmail App

1. Open the spam email.

2. Click the three dots at the top-right corner of your phone's screen. 

 

3. You will see a drop-down list. Click Report Spam. 

Method 2: Blocking the Sender

If reporting the message as spam does not work, you can block the sender. Here is a quick way to block a particular sender on Gmail:

Through Your Browser

1. Click the spam email. 
2. Tap the three dots right corner of the message. 
3. Select the Block "(sender name)" button.

Through the Gmail Mobile App

1. Open the spam on your Gmail app. 
2. Click the three dots. 
3. Select Block "(sender)."

Method 3: Unsubscribing From Mailing Lists

Unsubscribe links or buttons are often at the bottom of the email on both Gmail desktop and mobile. Here's an example:

Method 4: Filtering Emails

Gmail offers a spam filtering feature. It lets you categorize emails based on your preference. Here's how you can set it up:

1. Open the message you think is spam. 
2. Click the three-dot menu and choose "Filter messages like this." Gmail will redirect you to a search pop-up.  

3. From the list, determine what to do with the emails by clicking the Create filter button. 

Deterring Spam and Junk Emails on Yahoo Mail

One of the pioneering email platforms, Yahoo Mail has 227.8 million active users. It is the go-to email service for the older generations aged 65 and up. 

Here are the effective ways to prevent spam messages from cluttering your Yahoo Mail:

Method 1: Blocking Spam Yahoo Messages

Follow the steps to block spam messages in Yahoo Mail on the web browser and Yahoo app. 

Yahoo Mail on Browser

1. Log in to your account. 
2. Click the gear icon at the far right of your inbox's homepage.
3. Select More Settings.

4. Select the Security and Privacy menu. You'll see a section labeled Blocked addresses. 
5. Click the Add button and enter the email addresses you want to block. Press Save. 

Method 2: Marking Suspicious Messages as Spam

Yahoo Mail can mark individual senders and group messages as spam on the web and mobile. Keep reading to know how.

Yahoo Mail on Browser

1. Log in to Yahoo Mail.
2. Select the messages you consider spam by checking the box on the left. 
3. After marking the messages, click the Spam button on the upper right. 

Yahoo Mail Mobile App

1. Launch the app. 
2. Mark messages as spam by tapping the empty checkboxes on the left side of each email. 
3. Tap More in the toolbar at the screen's bottom. 
4. Select Mark as spam. 

Once you’re done, all the marked messages will be moved to your Spam folder.

Method 3: Unsubscribing from Spam messages

Yahoo webmail and mobile unsubscribe from spam messages differently. Here's how to do it on both platforms:

For Yahoo Webmail

1. Log in to your account.
2. Select messages you think are junk by checking the empty boxes on the far left of each message. 
3. Click the three dots next to the Spam icon and select Unsubscribe from the drop-down menu.

4. A dialog box will appear. Click Unsubscribe to finalize the process. 

For the Yahoo Mobile Application

1. Open your Yahoo Mail app. 
2. Tap the message you think is spam. 
3. Click More (with three dots) and tap Unsubscribe.

4. This message will appear to confirm your success. It should say: "Unsubscribe Request Sent."

Blocking Unwanted Emails on Outlook

The email-blocking method varies in Outlook since it has a web, desktop, and mobile app. In this section, learn how to unblock spam on all three platforms. 

For Outlook Web

The Outlook Web has two blocking options. One option is blocking directly through your inbox. The second one is adding the email address to your block list. 

Here's how to do both. 

A. Blocking directly in your Inbox

1. Log in to your Outlook Account. 
2. Select any message you want to be blocked. 
3. Click the three dots at the top right toolbar.
4. Choose the Block option and click Block Sender. 

B. Adding the Email Address to Your Blocked List

1. Log in to Outlook. 
2. Go to settings by clicking the gear icon. 
3. Tap View All Outlook Settings.

4. Select Mail, then click Junk Email. 
5. Press the +Add button located under Blocked Senders and Domains. 
6. Enter the email addresses you want to block, and press Enter to save your command. 

For Outlook Desktop

Block emails in Outlook by following these steps:

1. Open Outlook on your desktop. 
2. Select the message you want to block in your inbox. 
3. Click the three dots on the top-right and click Junk. 
4. Click Block Sender.

For Outlook Mobile Application

Unfortunately, the Outlook mobile app does not allow the direct blocking of senders. Instead, you can move the items to spam and block them later on your computer. 

Here's how:

1. Open your Outlook mobile app.
2. Select the message you want to block. 
3. Click the File transfer button on the bottom toolbar. 
4. Select the Junk folder option. 

Getting Rid of Spam Emails on iCloud Mail

Like Gmail, iCloud Mail can detect and block spam before reaching your inbox. However, it doesn't filter all spam emails.

To manually delete spam or block junk mail from iPhone, iPad, and iCloud Mail, follow these steps:

For iPhone and iPad

1. Log in to your iCloud account.
2. In your inbox, click Edit in the top toolbar. 

3. Tap the empty circle on the left side of the message and click Move. 

4. Choose Junk and click Move. 

For iCloud Website Mail

1. Log in to your iCloud mail.
2. Select the spam emails. Click the folder icon.
3. Choose Move to Junk.

The Dangers of Spam Messages

Spam emails often bring malicious intent to their recipient. Know the potential dangers of spam messages through this list: 

1. Spyware

Spyware tracks your online activities like email, usernames, passwords, bank information, etc. It is the easiest way to obtain and use your data for a hacker’s gain.

Spam emails usually contain spyware that is activated when you click a link in the message. 

Fraudsters pose as legitimate tech support. They send a compromised email offering to resolve issues like software license renewal or bank updates. 

Once you give in to the attacker's request to download or click a link, they will install spyware on your device. 

2. Phishing

Phishing emails are so common that it affects one in every five people online. These emails are from someone who poses as a legitimate organization to ask for your personal information.

Several phishing scammers acted as event organizers during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. They stole email addresses and other information through continuous spam messages.

3. Ransomware

Ransomware is malware that encrypts your data and holds it for ransom. Downloading or clicking a link from a ransomware-embedded mail can lock your device. 

Despite most users being unfamiliar with this malware, it is actually one of the most widespread cyber threats in the world. There were almost 500 million ransomware attacks in 2022 alone.

Unlike spyware, you will immediately know when ransomware infects your device. The most common sign is that you can't access your files.

A ransom note will appear on your computer screen or in all your files. The request would mainly involve money in Bitcoins.

Protect Yourself From Spam Emails

Sometimes, blocking isn't enough to prevent spam from creeping into your mailbox. 

You need to reduce your email addresses' exposure to prevent spam from coming back. Here are some preventive tips to consider:

1. Modify your email privacy settings

Blocking a spam message is an effective prevention from returning junk emails.

Changing your email privacy setting is even better. It lowers your exposure to spam in the first place. 

One way to keep your email private is to not share your email address with organizations you don't know. 

2. Use complex passwords

It's inconvenient to memorize long and complex passwords, so people tend to set easy ones. Most use the same password for all their accounts. 

If you want to keep your email secure, make sure not to include the following when creating a password:

• Consecutive numbers or characters
• Personal information like birth date or house address
• Easy-to-guess keystroke patterns

These are good ideas for creating a password for your email and other accounts:

• Create a complex combination of arbitrary alphanumeric and special characters. Make it as unique as you can.
• Make it long. Short passwords can be easy to guess. 

3. Use several email addresses

Having several email addresses lessens cybersecurity risks. This way, you can secure your data and avoid the dangers of spam emails by directing them away from any valuable personal information. 

Conclusion

Nothing is more annoying than constantly clearing junk messages in your electronic mailbox. However, it's terrifying to discover that someone robbed you because of a link you clicked. 

Spam email is an entry point for cybercriminals. Outwit them by blocking or junking emails to secure your digital footprint.