Tips on how to avoid spam

Proximus filters e-mails on your Proximus e-mail address and moves these automatically to the spam folder. This is usually done based on the content, keywords or origin of e-mails.

Do you still receive a lot of spam? Then follow these 5 general tips:

1. Install Norton Security if you use an e-mail program (e.g. Outlook, Windows Mail, Apple Mail, etc.) on your mobile or computer for extra protection against spam and viruses. Norton is a chargeable option.
2. In Proximus Webmail you can mark messages as spam. In the unwanted e-mail, tap on at the top and then on Mark as spam. In future, these unwanted e-mails will be moved to the spam folder.
   
   Do you use another e-mail program?
   • In Outlook you can change the level of protection for junk mail or set up barrings for junk mail.
   • In Mozilla Thunderbird you can set up a filter for unwanted e-mail.
   • In Apple Mail you can reduce junk mail.
   • Windows Mail by default doesn't have an integrated spam filter.
3. Never reply to spam. This only increases the chances of more spam.
4. Don't make your e-mail address public. Never give out your e-mail address publicly on webpages or forums. When you register for a website, it's best to unselect options for receiving newsletters or passing on your data to third parties. Or better still, register a second e-mail address that you use solely to sign up to such websites.
5. Consult the tips of safeonweb, the government's website for cybersecurity.

Also read through these tips in specific situations:

• Have you received an unwanted newsletter? Then deregister via the link included in the e-mail.
• Would you rather not receive any more e-mails from someone you know? Contact the person in question or set up an e-mail rule in Proximus Webmail (or in your e-mail program) to automatically move or remove e-mails.
• Do you receive many e-mails which you have "sent", but which could not be delivered? In that case your e-mail address has probably been misused by spammers. Change the password of your mailbox and set up an e-mail rule in Proximus Webmail (or in your e-mail program) to automatically move or remove these e-mails.
• Do you receive spam from another Proximus customer? Contact us to report improper use.

Proximus uses certain e-mail standards which you must comply with. The e-mail provider or the security program of your e-mail recipient probably also use a spam filter.

Are your e-mails identified as spam by your e-mail recipient? Then follow these 4 general tips:

1. Take account of the maximum number of recipients you can send e-mails to simultaneously: maximum 100 via Proximus Webmail, 100 from your own e-mail program and 10 from a non-Proximus connection.
2. Be mindful of the content of your e-mail: avoid certain keywords (e.g. free, discount, price, win, special offer, campaign, decide now, money, etc.) and excessive use of capital letters, punctuation marks or images. Also, don't use JavaScript, Flash or colored words in your text.
3. Don't send e-mails from an e-mail address that contains a combination of numerals and letters. By default, you'll often receive a mailbox from Proximus that is made up of such combinations, but the aim is that you create an alias.
4. Ask the recipient to check his e-mail filters.

Also read through these tips in specific situations:

• Are you sending a newsletter? It's strictly prohibited to send newsletters via relay.proximus.be. However, you can do this from your own mail server. In that case, make sure that your newsletter contains a link that allows recipients to deregister. If you notice that the e-mail address of one of the recipients is no longer valid, you should remove it from your list in future mailings.
• Do you have your own mail server? Check the settings of your mail server.

Proximus automatically filters e-mails that are sent to your Proximus e-mail address. This is usually done on the basis of our e-mail standards, but also on the content, keywords or origin of e-mails. If your correspondent does not comply with these conditions, the e-mail is automatically moved to the spam folder.

If your correspondent does comply with these conditions, follow these 3 tips:

1. Check via MX Toolbox to make sure the domain (the part that comes after the @ in the e-mail address of your correspondent) is not on a blacklist. Domains that send a lot of spam may end up on a blacklist. If your correspondent is on a blacklist, he should contact his own e-mail provider.
2. Check to make sure you haven't set up an e-mail rule in Proximus Webmail (or in your own e-mail program) that ensures that your correspondent's e-mail is automatically moved or removed.
3. Recommend the sender to consult our tips for outgoing e-mails above, to prevent them from being recognized as spam.