Step 1: Learn About Filters

A filter established in an email program reduces the number of unwanted email messages you have to see, but it doesn't keep them from slowing down your download time. Ask your email provider if server-based filters are available. If so, that helps with download time since the messages are filtered before they reach your computer.

Step 2: Start Filter

Select Tools / Filters and you'll see the large Eudora filter dialog. To eliminate the greatest number of unwanted messages, you need to know something about them. For example, suppose you get a lot of spammers advertising "free adult" sites. Click New to start a new filter.

Step 3: Set up Header

Set the Match option to Incoming, and for the Header select Subject.

Step 4: Set Up Criteria

For the first criterion, select "contains" and type the phrase "Free Adult." Since there is no second criterion, leave the Ignore option in place and don't make changes to the second criteria fields.

Step 5: Set Disposition

Set the action to "transfer to" and click the button to switch the destination to "Trash." Close the window by clicking the lower X mark, and confirm you want to save changes. This process may be repeated for additional filters, which you'll install as you continue to notice new junk mail trends.

Step 6: Set Report Option

If you want Eudora to inform you when email has been filtered, select Tools / Options / Getting Attention and enable the Generate Filter Report option.

Step 7: Set Warnings

Select Tools / Options / Extra Warnings. Messages that get redirected by your filter will be unread of course, and when the Trash is emptied you may want to eliminate the warnings from Eudora. If so, you need to uncheck the warnings for "Empty the Trash" and "Delete unread messages." Close the options screen.