Yahoo Mail logo

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.
Yahoo mail how to block spam emails

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.
Yahoo Mail how to block spam emails

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.
Yahoo Mail how to block spam emails
  • 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.
Yahoo Mail how to block spam emails

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.