The junk folder, and getting off a list

Rescue the message the junk folder swallowed, and get off a mailing list without touching anything you should not.

Every provider runs incoming mail past a filter that guesses whether you want it. It is very good, it is not perfect, and it errs both ways — a nuisance gets through, and once in a while something you were waiting for is quietly set aside.

It works the other way too: mark something unwanted as junk, and the filter starts catching the next ones itself.

Key points

Junk is a guess. Look in it when something expected has not arrived
Teach the filter in one press, in either direction
Unsubscribe from senders you recognize; report and delete the rest

What to remember

Most of an inbox needs no decision beyond archive or bin.
Unsubscribe from people you know. Report and delete from people you do not. Scam emails go to reportphishing@apwg.org, scam texts to 7726.

Try this

Open your junk folder now and read what is in there. It takes a minute, and most people find at least one genuine message they never knew had arrived.

Practice: The junk folder, and getting off a list. Your first lesson is free, with no account or card; the rest are part of a Lantern plan. Interactive lessons require JavaScript.