This article describes how to use Outlook rules to stop a spam bomb attack.

Spam bombing is a malicious attack where an email inbox is flooded with unwanted messages, making it difficult to find important emails. Outlook's built-in rules feature can help manage and filter these emails automatically, preventing your inbox from being overwhelmed.

Steps to Create Outlook Rules for Blocking Spam Bombing in Classic Outlook Desktop

1. Open Outlook Settings
   1. Launch Microsoft Outlook.
   2. Click on File in the top-left corner.
   3. Select Manage Rules & Alerts.
2. Create a New Rule
   1. Click New Rule to begin setting up a custom filter.
   2. Choose Apply rule on messages I receive
   3. Click Next.
3. Define Rule Conditions
   1. Select with specific words in the subject or body.
   2. Select the hyperlinked specific words.
   3. Enter common spam keywords from the subjects of the attack.
   4. Select Ok
   5. Select Next
4. Select an Action
   1. Choose Move it to the specified folder to filter messages automatically.
   2. Select the hyperlinked specified.
   3. Select your Junk Email folder
      • Whereas you can delete it or delete it permanently, we highly recommend that you put it in the Junk folder. Items in the Junk folder will be deleted in 30 days, but this gives you an opportunity to evaluate the rule and ensure that it isn’t deleting items that you want.
      • You can always empty your Junk folder manually at any time by right-clicking on the folder and selecting Empty.
   4. Also select Mark it as read and Stop processing more rules.
   5. Select Next.
5. Add Exceptions (Optional)
   1. If you want to ensure that emails from trusted contacts aren't mistakenly filtered, you can add exceptions by selecting except from people or public group.
   2. Select Next.
6. Save and Apply the Rule
   1. Give the rule a name.
   2. Select Run this rule now on messages already in “Inbox”.
   3. Click Finish.
   4. Test it by monitoring incoming spam messages to ensure proper filtering.

Steps to Create Outlook Rules for Blocking Spam Bombing in New Outlook Desktop

1. Open Outlook Settings
   1. Launch Microsoft Outlook.
   2. Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
   3. Select Mail
   4. Select Rules.
2. Create a New Rule
   1. Click Add new rule to begin setting up a custom filter.
   2. Choose Apply rule on messages I receive, then click Next.
3. Define Rule Conditions
   1. Enter a name for the rule.
   2. Add the condition Subject includes.
   3. Select the hyperlinked specific words.
   4. Enter common spam keywords from the subjects of the attack.
4. Select an Action
   1. Choose Move to
   2. Select your Junk Email folder
      • Whereas you can delete it or delete it permanently, we highly recommend that you put it in the Junk folder. Items in the Junk folder will be deleted in 30 days, but this gives you an opportunity to evaluate the rule and ensure that it isn’t deleting items that you want.
      • You can always empty your Junk folder manually at any time by right-clicking on the folder and selecting Empty.
   3. Add another action and select Mark as read.
   4. Select the checkbox, Stop processing more rules.
   5. Select the checkbox, Run rule now.
5. Add Exceptions (Optional)
   1. If you want to ensure that emails from trusted contacts aren't mistakenly filtered, you can add exceptions by selecting Add another exception: From.
   2. Click Save.

How to Create Rules in Outlook Web App to Stop Spam Bombing

1. Open Outlook Web App
   1. Go to Outlook on the web.
   2. Sign in to your account.
2. Access Mail Rules
   1. Click the gear icon (⚙) in the upper-right corner.
   2. Select Mail.
   3. Click Rules.
3. Define Rule Conditions
   1. Enter a name for the rule.
   2. Add the condition Subject includes.
   3. Select the hyperlinked specific words.
   4. Enter common spam keywords from the subjects of the attack.
4. Select an Action
   1. Choose Move to.
   2. Select your Junk Email folder
      • Whereas you can delete it or delete it permanently, we highly recommend that you put it in the Junk folder. Items in the Junk folder will be deleted in 30 days, but this gives you an opportunity to evaluate the rule and ensure that it isn’t deleting items that you want.
      • You can always empty your Junk folder manually at any time by right-clicking on the folder and selecting Empty.
   3. Add another action and select Mark as read.
   4. Select the checkbox, Stop processing more rules.
   5. Select the checkbox, Run rule now.
5. Add Exceptions (Optional)
   1. If you want to ensure that emails from trusted contacts aren't mistakenly filtered, you can add exceptions by selecting Add another exception: From.
   2. Click Save.