Yahoo Mail may not be the most popular email client these days, but that doesn’t stop millions of users from accumulating mass amounts of spam email. Whether these irritating messages come from harmless marketing campaigns or dangerous cybercriminals, one question is certain: “how can I block spam email in Yahoo Mail?”
Spam emails are unsolicited emails often sent in bulk to a large group of recipients. Advertisers often send harmless spam messages about consumer products you may be interested in, but there is also a dark side to junk mail. Scammers take advantage of spam by sending out large-scale email campaigns to steal money. Whether it’s to obtain your personal information or to infect your device with a virus, ransomware, or other types of malware, cybercriminals utilize spam as a form of phishing to plunder your hard-earned cash.
Getting spam mail can be frustrating, but Yahoo Mail has anti-spam measures set in place to keep unwelcome emails flooding your inbox. That said, the email client can’t catch all mail, and hackers can find ways to sneak spam past its defences. If you’re receiving junk mail and want it to stop, read on to find out how to stop spam mail in Yahoo Mail.
How to block email addresses in Yahoo Mail
As with most email clients, Yahoo Mail lets you block specific email addresses. This is best utilized to stop an address you know is sending you spam, as it can stop unsolicited messages from spamming your inbox.
- Open Yahoo Mail on your device.
- Click the three horizontal dots in the toolbar at the top.
- Select Block senders.
There you have it. Senders will no longer be able to shoot over spam emails to your inbox. This is especially useful if a suspicious email address keeps crowding your inbox with potentially dangerous messages, like PDF attachments with viruses or malware.
How to report email as spam in Yahoo Mail
Yahoo Mail can automatically detect spam emails and move them to your Spam folder. While Yahoo’s spam filter is handy, it won’t recognize all junk mail that makes it into your inbox. That’s when you need to help the system learn what should be spam.
- Open Yahoo Mail on your device.
- Check the box next to the email you wish to report as spam.
- Click the Spam icon in the toolbar at the top.
This way, Yahoo Mail’s system will learn what emails should be marked as spam, and recognize future junk mail that is similar to the email you marked as spam.
How to change your email privacy settings in Yahoo Mail
Changing your email privacy settings in Yahoo Mail is a surefire way to stop spam mail from coming to your inbox in the first place, as it can block specific email addresses and apps or services from sending them.
- Open Yahoo Mail on your device.
- Select the gear icon in the top-right corner in the toolbar and click More Settings.
- Click Security and privacy.
- Here, you can add an email address you wish to block and block sender domains to stop receiving emails from apps or services you no longer need or trust. Select Add to block addresses or sender domains.
Use antivirus software to block malicious email
It can be tricky to determine what spam email is, as hackers can disguise themselves as trustworthy companies to fool you into clicking on these malicious messages. Emails can contain harmful links or attachments filled with malware, which you never want on your device. The good news is you can let one of the best antivirus software services do all the legwork for you, as they have security and privacy features to protect your Gmail.
Services such as Avast One, McAfee, Norton, and more have email protection tools that block malicious links and attachments. To make sure spam email stops any malware damaging your device, or to keep you safe from threat actors hacking your phone through texting and more, make sure to set yourself up with an antivirus.
- Bitdefender review: All-in-one premium security
- Norton 360 Platinum review: Security multiplied
You can find out the best antivirus software below.
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Bitdefender
Best overall antivirus
Bitdefender takes the spot as best antivirus, and for good reason. It’s not enough that it boasts near-perfect lab test scores across the board, as it goes the extra mile by giving users access to a plethora of advanced security features.
Bitdefender goes above and beyond in the features department, all while keeping known malware, ransomware, and viruses at bay. It will defend your device against new attacks, provide security for online transactions, keep you safe with a reliable VPN, and protect your accounts with a password manager.
It’s a no-brainer when it comes to defending your devices against virtually any form of cyberattack, and its top-notch protection extends to its most affordable package, too. Protecting your PC and smartphone, from Windows and macOS to iOS and Android, is becoming even more necessary, and Bitdefender is the tricked-out shield you need.
See our full Bitdefender review
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Avast One
Best free antivirus
With Avast One, you can protect your device from viruses, malware and ransomware for free. That’s right, and you don’t have to pay a dime for the extra security features the antivirus throws in, including its VPN, firewall and more.
Avast One will safeguard your device from malware, comes with ransomware protection, blocks harmful websites and downloads from the web, scans your emails for malicious attachments, stops hackers from infiltrating your device through Wi-Fi with a firewall – the list goes on. That’s a lot of tools for software that’s free, and the included VPN and the ability to speed up your PC are a welcome bonus.
It’s the ideal antivirus software for home use, as it takes the hassle out of staying wary of cyber threats lurking around, even if you’re not a tech whizz. What’s more, if you are looking for added precautions, its paid Individual and Family packages still boast great value. Hard to go wrong with this best antivirus.
See our full Avast One review
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Norton 360
Best antivirus for families
“Norton” and “antivirus” are synonymous these days, as the well-established cybersecurity brand has successfully fought against malware, viruses and nasty software threats since 1990.
Norton 360 offers excellent antivirus protection and extra features that make for a valuable, all-in-one security product. Its Norton 360 Deluxe and Premium package may cost a pretty penny. Still, with security across multiple platforms, a full-blown VPN, Dark Web Monitoring, Parental Controls and more, it will have a household free of cyber threats.
Norton’s certainty of its antivirus software’s capabilities is clearly defined by the brand’s 100% Virus Protection Promise. If a device protected by Norton 360 can’t get rid of a virus, the user receives their money back. It’s a big claim, but unquestionably, no one should expect to get that refund.
If you have the money for it, you can also check out the premium Norton 360 Platinum package for even more online protection, including from identity theft. Without a doubt one of the best antivirus to get.
See our full Norton 360 review
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AVG
Another best antivirus for free
You can never go wrong with free antivirus protection, but some deliver even better detection and protection rates, along with extra security features, without costing a dime. This is where AVG antivirus shines.
AVG provides reliable protection and only a small impact on performance for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It safeguards your devices against malware, viruses and zero-day exploits, along with blocking malicious links and attachments in emails. Throw in phishing protection when surfing the internet and extra security features such as its SafePrice browser extension and Network Inspector, and you’ve got yourself a do-it-all antivirus.
Sure, you can find all of these perks with Avast, but if you like a slick, darker user interface that’s easy to navigate, then AVG is for you.
See our full AVG Antivirus review
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Malwarebytes
Best antivirus for Windows PC
Hundreds of malware emerge every minute, and it’s Malwarebytes’ mission to detect and conquer them all. Does the antivirus do this successfully? Yes, but there’s wiggle room for improvements.
Malwarebytes’ no-nonsense approach to protecting your devices from the onslaught of malware and viruses is effective for those who need a reliable antivirus that will detect and remove malicious software, especially with its free version. However, while its premium service provides 24/7 real-time detection, conveniently blocks vicious ransomware and shields users from malicious websites, it doesn’t go beyond on the feature front.
That’s no bad thing, as sometimes a user only needs a powerful antivirus to keep them safe from cyber threats. But considering its competitors add a few more security tools, such as data breach monitoring and a firewall, there’s room for improvement.
See our full Malwarebytes review
