Spam Filters Key Terms

Learn spam filter terminology and junk the unwanted emails
By Jennifer Ehlenfeldt, Freelance Writer Everybody gets them, but no one really wants them. It's the junk email, or spam mail, that fills your Inbox. The choices in spam filters seem endless, so knowing what you need in a good spam filter is important. Spam filters are usually complex software that use things like filtering, spam scores, tokens and other tactics to stop that junk mail before it gets to your Inbox. Learn the spam filter key terms so you can use them to help you avoid unwanted emails.
 

Server side and client side

Server side refers to the web-based spam blocker software components, while client side is the individual's email system. Both are used to come up with key spam words to filter out junk or spam mail.
Try: Secure Server defines server- and client-side filtering through its extensive spam blocker explanation.

IP address

The IP address is basically each individual computer's calling card. Email can be traced to a physical computer through this number. Spammers often try to get around spam blocks by using different computers and IP addresses.
Try: SpamCop.net is a spam blocker with information related to IP addresses in their definition of their spam blocking system.

Filtering

Filtering is defined as a computerized sorting of emails. Potential spam mail is filtered out using several different methods, including spam scoring and token counts.
Try: Greencomputer Innovation, Ltd. defines filtering, with extensive explanation of what goes into flagging spam email.

Blocked list and allowed list

The blocked list, or black list, is simply a list of email addresses that are not allowed through the spam blocker to the end client. The allowed list, sometimes called the white list, is the list of email addresses a client has approved for all future emails.
Try: WiseGeek explains how spam filters work.

Tokens

A token is defined as a word or group of letters or numbers. Each email is made up of many tokens, which which the spam blocker examines. Tokens are compared to spam lists and used to determine if the email may be spam.
Try: The Ohio State University anti-spam service defines tokens and how they relate to anti-spam software.

Spam score

The spam score is made up of a number of factors a spam blocker looks for like talk of money, urgent matters and other popular spam phrases. Each phrase is designated by a point number and all points are added up to determine how likely the email is spam or junk.
Try: MailChimp gives several examples of spam score and how the scoring is broken down.