When the anti-spam tool is installed directly on a personal computer, the control over the email remains while the program recognizes and filters the spam messages according to a set of pre-determined features. Small businesses and personal users represent the average beneficiaries of on-computer spam blockers and filters. As for the rest of the issues that require attention, we ought to mention: the customization possibility, the compatibility with the filter, the stability and the usage easiness. If you meet these criteria, an optimal efficiency can be achieved.

By compatibility we refer to the possibility of using the anti-spam tool according to the Internet mail provider. There are certain programs that work only with Outlook or Outlook Express but are incompatible with Eudora or Mozilla Thunderbird. Then, the anti-spam tool requires navigation options that are very easy to access; without such features, the program will be difficult to launch and control. Furthermore, a good anti-spam tool should allow customization of the features to the user’s needs. The PC operator has to be able to create the settings that will enable the spam blocker to delete the mails after filtering them.

The choice of an anti-spam tool depends on other features too, and unless you know what to look for, don’t hesitate to ask for professional assistance. Talk to someone who is good at computers or who can make a basic comparison between different spam blockers. It would be very unpleasant to pay for a program and then realize that you can’t use it or that its efficiency is impaired by some system problems. Talk to software companies, check reviews and inquire about the anti-spam tool releases that have showed good stability in usage.