SpamNet is a subscription-based service that promises to stem the flow of junk email. It's free to use for 30 days; thereafter, it's $4 (£2) per month. SpamNet works with Outlook and Outlook Express and once it's installed you will see a new toolbar and a 'Spam' folder in addition to your usual list.

SpamNet scans your messages as they come in and checks the results with its list of known junk emails. If spam does get through, you can click the 'block' button, which will tell SpamNet that it's junk, entering it in the central database so it will be blocked for all users.

It claims to filter 95 per cent of junk mail. In practice, it's less than that, and you do have to check the Spam folder in case it's blocked anything important. But, if the junk is overflowing your inbox, this is a good, cost-effective barrier.

Contact: Cloudmark
Info: www.cloudmark.com
Buy: www.cloudmark.com/products/spamnet