Junk e-mail filters help Outlook define which e-mail messages are spam. There are two key points to remember about junk e-mail filters in Outlook:

• The Outlook 2003 Junk E-mail Filter can be updated.
• The junk e-mail filters for Outlook 97/98, 2000, and 2002 (XP) cannot be updated.

Outlook 2003

The Outlook 2003 Junk E-mail Filter can be updated and is available at Downloads on Office Online. Under Office Update, click Check for Updates. The updates include the latest Outlook 2003 Junk E-mail Filter. The filter uses Microsoft SmartScreen Technology to help determine what e-mail messages should be considered spam. For more information about how to use the Junk E-mail Filter in Outlook 2003, see the following:

• About the Junk E-mail Filter
• What to do with all that spam

Outlook 97/98, 2000, and 2002

The criteria used to define what is considered spam by the junk e-mail filter is documented in the Microsoft Junk E-mail Filter Readme. You cannot modify the criteria listed. The Readme is for reference purposes only. The junk e-mail filters for Outlook 97/98, 2000, and 2002 (XP) cannot be updated.

For more information about how to use the junk e-mail filter in Outlook 97/98, 2000, and 2002, see Using junk e-mail filters.