Tired of getting spam emails in Outlook? Clearing out hundreds of unwanted emails from your inbox can be infuriating, especially when it feels like there’s no end to them. What’s worse, it leaves you at risk of opening your device up to malware, viruses, and more harmful software from cybercriminals trying to steal your private data and financial information – and all it takes is a simple click.
Also known as junk mail or spam mail, spam email is unsolicited email messages often sent in bulk to a large group of recipients. Spam is often used for financial purposes, consisting of harmless messages from advertisers about consumer products you may be interested in. However, 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.
Fortunately, Microsoft Outlook has countermeasures in place to stop junk mail from crowding your inbox. In fact, the email client has different levels of spam mail protection that users can adjust. However, threat actors find ways to keep spam from being detected, and that’s when you need to do some blocking of your own. Read on to find out how to block spam email in Outlook.
How to block email addresses in Outlook
Opening a spam email in Outlook can lead to even more spam filling your inbox. If the same email address appears to be sending you unwanted messages, you can block the sender’s address for good.
- Open Microsoft Outlook on your device.
- Right-click the email of the address your wish to block.
- Select Block and click Block sender.
The email address will no longer be able to send you spam. This is a good way to permanently stop receiving unsolicited messages from a specific sender, especially if they are harmful.
How to report email as spam in Outlook
Deleting spam is a good way to clean up your inbox and keep malicious messages out of reach, but that won’t stop spam mail from being sent. The good news is Outlook can learn what should be categorized as junk mail if you mark spam as junk.
- Open Microsoft Outlook on your device.
- Right-click the email of the address your wish to report.
- Select Report and click Report junk/Report phishing.
This will stop senders from dispatching any annoying or malicious mail you would normally receive in your inbox. Harmless advertising emails can be reported as junk, but signs of a sender trying
How to change your email privacy settings in Outlook
You can also stop junk mail coming in the first place by heading to Outlook’s privacy settings and removing access from any apps that keep sending you spam. This is a good way to get rid of any unfamiliar apps that looks suspicious.
- Open Microsoft Outlook on your device.
- Click on your account icon located at the upper-right corner.
- Select My Microsoft account.
- Click on Privacy and then Privacy Dashboard.
- Under Apps and services, select View app access details and remove access to apps you no longer need or don’t trust.
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
