Email spam is a tough problem with no great solution. Current methods include blocking email addresses, storing email in a spam folder or permission access type system but each have drawbacks. Some systems allow you to block headline phrases and then send them automaticlly to a spam folder or reject them outright.
Blocking email addresses
It is a one time process to forward the address or type it into the blocking field and then emails from this address will be rejected forever or until you unblock them. Sophisticated spammers however can simply create new email addresses and go around this block.
Spam Folder
Bad email still get through but go directly to your spam folder so you don't have to deal with them. You do however have to empty the spam folder to keep your memory from filling up like your regular inbox folder or multiple inbox folder system. If you use a phrase blocking type system vs email address you can always keep potentially good emails that were accidentally placed as spam.
Permission based
One of the latest email systems from email providers. This system requires the email sender to reply to a message sent by your email provider so as to prevent automated spamming systems from infilltrating your email box. You acknowledge the email sender as an ok web address and there web address is added to your approved list. Unless a spammer is willing to go through the process of the manual reply system (regardless of how they got your address) all spam mail will be blocked. The bad news is auto reply email from subscription services you registered for, billing auto reply systems or services could be blocked without your knowledge leaving out those important email from such services, especially when they come from a different email address than whats in your approved list, which is very common. For business interest this could be an equally difficult problem for online purchases, current or new potential business customers or clients trying to contact you.
Potential pros and cons of email blockers
0 - Reduce email spam
0 - Only lightly reduces spam
0 - Good email may
Online emails probably have the best method with exact address blocking but unfortunately complex spammers switch emails faster than the sun rise and sunset happens. And there systems will gladly try sending from an alternate email address before dumping your email address from their system. Until there are better ways to block them from the source like from email servers, isp's, web host, stronger email registration standards across the board, or regulatory at State and Federal levels the problem will only continue to get worse.
• Email spam
