What Spam-Filtering Methods Gmail uses
About ten years ago, spam almost ruined the use of email. Since then various tech corporations have intensified efforts of filtering spam on emails. According to Google system, incoming email messages pass through Google’s spam filters which stores messages identified as spam in a user’s Gmail spam folder automatically. The filters use a combination of user analytics, phishing/virus detection, and pattern analysis to send suspicious messages directly to spam.
Spam detection works through “filters” which are settings that are continually updated depending on feedback given by Gmail users on possible spammers, new technologies, and new spam identification methods. Spam filters utilize text filters or eliminate threats depending on a user (sender) and his/her history (whether the sender has been reported or not, among other information). These methods include;
Text filters
Gmail text filters use algorithms to recognize phrases and words that are often used in spam emails. Expressions like “vicodin,” “online pharmacy” and “male enhancement,” are immediate red flags for blocking by the filters. As spammers are aware of this, they often change characters (v1cadin for s4le) or misspell the text to evade the filters, Gmail current spam filters are equipped for these kinds of misspellings and even if a message comes up, with character swaps, the mail will be blocked.
Client filters
Gmail also uses history and client identity to filter malicious spam e-mails. This works by examining all the messages a particular user has sent. If they regularly send massive numbers of emails, or some of their emails have been found to be spam by the text filters, their message will be blocked completely.
Blacklists
Gmail’s filters are continuously improving, and a critical element of their effectiveness is the value of community signs. Every time you tick on the “Mark as spam” key, Gmail utilizes that information to bar similar future messages for you and every other Gmail user.
According to Search engine journal, Gmail has introduced brain-like “neural networks” into its spam filters that can recognize phishing messages and junk mail by analyzing scads off the stuff across a huge collection of computers. Gmail spam filters not only filter junk by using the pre-existing rules, but they also create new rules themselves as they go along.
According to Wired, unlike other providers that automatically let through all mail from specific senders, allowing their messages to circumvent spam filters, Gmail puts all senders through the same uncompromising checks. Gmail’s accuracy in spam filtering and detection is the reason why the email service is very popular.
