Article ID: FAQ980805A

Microsoft Outlook 98 has built-in filter function to help user filter out unwanted spam mail.  However, there is a chance that this auto-filtering feature may prevent you from receiving legitimate e-mail from your friends/family.

The following information is extracted from ZDNet.  You can read the full details of the original article from:
http://www.zdnet.com/zdnn/content/zdnn/0402/304002.html

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In an attempt to block unwanted e-mail, an automatic function on the company's new Outlook 98 messaging software filters messages based on a preset list of words and punctuation. The feature blocks messages that have an exclamation point and question mark in the subject line, as well as such words or phrases as "for free!" and "removal instructions" in the body.

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The filter is intended to block annoying mass e-mailings that often contain promises of free trips and get-rich-quick schemes, but it also may filter out other messages.

For example, a message with "Hey! Guess What?" in the subject and "I'm getting tickets to tonight's Giants baseball game for free!" could be blocked if a person chooses Outlook's automatic filter.

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People who don't want to use the automatic filter can build a customized blocking program, choosing specific words and domain names to block. But the automatic filter cannot be adjusted.

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