When using electronic mail (email), what is one strategy to help prevent potentially malicious emails from reaching your inbox?

Using a junk folder is a practical strategy for managing potentially malicious emails. When emails are directed to a junk folder, any messages identified as spam or unwanted by the email system are automatically sorted away from the main inbox. This reduces the risk of accidentally opening dangerous attachments or links that could compromise your security.

Junk folders typically use algorithms and filters that analyze incoming messages for characteristics common to spam or phishing attempts. As a result, important emails from legitimate users can still be delivered to the inbox while potential threats are isolated. Users can periodically review the junk folder to check for mistakenly blocked emails, but the primary function of this folder is to minimize exposure to harmful content.

The other strategies, while useful for email security, serve different functions. Blocking unknown senders can help, but it may inadvertently prevent important messages from reaching you as well. Setting up a filter can organize emails effectively but might not specifically target malicious content. Changing your email password regularly is an excellent security practice in general but does not directly prevent unwanted malicious emails from entering your inbox.