Spam emails are unsolicited messages that flood your business inboxes, often carrying unwanted ads, scams, or even malicious software. Using an email filtering tool means automatically screening incoming emails to block or quarantine these unwanted messages before they reach your staff. This helps keep your business communications clean and reduces the risk of harmful content slipping through.
Why email filtering matters for Australian SMBs
Spam isn't just annoying—it can cause real business problems. If a phishing email gets through, an employee might accidentally reveal sensitive information or download malware, leading to data breaches or system downtime. This can disrupt operations, damage your reputation with customers, and even attract regulatory scrutiny under Australian privacy laws. Additionally, sifting through spam wastes staff time, reducing productivity.
A typical scenario
Consider a 50-person Australian company that handles customer data daily. Without email filtering, their help desk staff receive dozens of spam emails every day, some containing links to fake websites designed to steal login credentials. One employee clicks a link, compromising their account and allowing hackers to access internal systems. After this, the company invests in a reputable email filtering service that blocks most spam and flags suspicious messages. Their IT support team also trains staff on recognising phishing attempts. Over time, the number of security incidents drops, and employees spend less time deleting junk mail.
Checklist: What to do about email filtering
- Ask your IT provider: What email filtering solutions do you recommend for businesses our size? How do they detect and block spam and phishing attempts?
- Review service details: Does the filtering include real-time threat updates? Can it quarantine suspicious emails for review instead of deleting them outright?
- Check integration: Will the filter work smoothly with your current email platform (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)?
- Test effectiveness: Can your IT provider show reports on spam blocked and false positives (legitimate emails mistakenly flagged)?
- Train your team: Ensure staff know how to handle suspicious emails that get through, including reporting procedures.
- Regular reviews: Schedule periodic reviews of filtering settings and incident logs with your IT support to adapt to evolving threats.
Next steps
Implementing an email filtering tool is a practical step to reduce cyber risk and improve staff efficiency. To choose the right solution and set it up properly, talk to a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor familiar with Australian small and mid-sized businesses. They can assess your current email security, recommend appropriate filters, and help train your team to stay vigilant against evolving email threats.