Technology

How to keep email from getting lost to a spam folder

Published

2 years ago

May 26, 2024

How to keep email from getting lost to a spam folder

Have you ever been waiting for an important email only to find out it went into your spam folder?

This can be frustrating if you’re waiting on correspondence from someone, but it can also be frustrating — and awkward — for the sender, who is all the while waiting for your response.

While you still want your spam folder to help filter out unwanted messages, it’s important to “safelist” the email addresses you want to go directly into your inbox. And there is a way to keep actual spam emails at bay, too.

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Mail app on a smartphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What does it mean to “safelist” an email address?

To “safelist,” an email address means adding it to a special list where you mark it as trusted. When you safelist an email address, you ensure that messages from this sender go directly to your inbox instead of getting caught in spam filters. This is particularly useful because sometimes important emails can be mistakenly marked as unwanted spam.

Safelisting is a helpful tool, especially in settings where you can’t afford to miss important messages, like in business or personal communications. By adding an email address to your safelist, you’re telling your email service that you know and trust this sender and that the sender’s emails are important to you. This step helps ensure that you always receive the emails you need, including our CyberGuy newsletter.

A woman on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Part I: How to safelist email addresses in different email platforms

To ensure that important emails always reach your inbox and don’t get lost in the spam folder, it’s a good idea to safelist trusted email addresses. This requires adding contacts to your email platform’s address book and taking another step to ensure they go to you.

Here’s how to do it on different email platforms:

Gmail:

Add email addresses to contacts:

Go to Google Contacts (contacts.google.com).
Click on “Create contact” and fill out the “Create a contact” form with the email address you wish to safelist.
Click Save. This automatically ensures that emails from this address land in your inbox rather than your spam folder.

Safelist spam emails:

Navigate to your Gmail inbox.
From the navigation bar on the left, scroll down and click More.
Then, click Spam
Find the email from the sender you want to safelist. Click the empty box to the left of the Spam email you want to remove from Spam.
Now, tap Not spam

Create a non-spam filter:

From your Gmail inbox, go to “Settings” (gear icon), then “See all settings.”
Navigate to “Filters and Blocked Addresses” and click it.
Then, tap “Create a new filter.”
Enter the email address or domain you wish to safelist in the “From” field.
Click “Create filter” with this search, check “Never send it to Spam,” and then click “Create filter.”

Yahoo Mail:

Add a Yahoo contact:

Click the Contacts card icon on the upper right corner of your inbox.
Then, click the three horizontal dots just below it on the right
Select “Add a new Contact.”
Fill out the form with the sender’s details, and click “Save.”

Add a filter in Yahoo Mail:

Click the Gear icon in the upper right corner and select “More Settings.”
Choose “Filters” from the left navigation menu
Then click “Add new filters.”
Fill out the form with a filter name and the email address or domain you wish to safelist.
Click “Save” to activate the filter.

AOL Mail:

Add an AOL contact:

Log into your AOL Mail account
Click on Contacts in the left navigation menu
Tap on the three horizontal dots under where it says Contacts
Click on Add a new Contact
Fill out the contact details, and click Save

Create a filter in AOL Mail:

Log into your AOL Mail account
Click on Options
Then, click Mail Settings
Under Filter Settings, click on Create a new filter
Enter a name for the filter, specify the condition (e.g., emails from a specific email address), and set the action to Move to inbox
Save the filter to ensure all future emails from this address go directly to your inbox instead of the spam folder.

StartMail

Log in to your StartMail account: Start by signing in to your StartMail account.
Access your settings: Look for a settings or options menu, typically found in the upper right corner of the screen.
Navigate to Safelist options: Within the settings menu, find the section dedicated to ‘Filters’ or ‘Safelisting’.
Add the email address: In the safelist section, there should be an option to ‘Add’ or ‘Create a new rule’. Enter the email address you wish to safelist.
Save your changes: Make sure to save or apply the changes to update your safelist settings.

By following these steps, emails from safelisted addresses bypass the spam filter, ensuring you receive important communications directly in your inbox.

Note: One of the best features of StartMail is that it’s a more private and secure email service, which helps you take more control over what’s coming into your inbox and what you’re sending out. Find out more about upgrading the security of your email here.

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Part II: Why do emails I don’t want in my inbox bypass the spam filter?

If you plan to safelist email addresses so that you won’t miss another email from a trusted address by it going into your spam folder instead of your primary inbox, you might be wondering how this works the other way around. How do emails you DON’T want to see get into your inbox when those should be going into your spam folder?

If you’re getting a lot of “promotional” or “spam” emails (depending on how your email labels them), it’s likely because you subscribed to them at some point in time. To find out where you’re subscribed and unsubscribe from many places at once, there are services out there like Clean Email that can help you do this quickly. But you can also do it the manual way by setting time aside to go through your inbox and unsubscribe to ones you don’t want anymore as they come into your inbox.

It could also be because your email is out there on the internet, and scammers (as well as companies) can find it and add it to a mailing list without you giving explicit permission to do so. To help minimize this, there are ways to get your data offline.

A person on a smartphone looking at emails (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Use aliases to protect yourself from spam emails

Sometimes, it’s best to create various email aliases so that you don’t have to worry about all your info getting stolen in a data breach. An email alias address is also a great way to stop receiving constant spam mail by simply deleting it.

My top recommendation to avoid being inundated with spam emails is to use an alias email address. An alias email address is an additional email address that can be used to receive emails in the same mailbox as the primary email address. It acts as a forwarding address, directing emails to the primary email address.

In addition to creating throwaway email accounts for online sign-ups and other circumstances where you would not want to disclose your primary email address, alias email addresses are helpful for handling and organizing incoming communications.

Sometimes, it’s best to create various email aliases so that you don’t have to worry about getting tons of spam mail and having your email eventually stolen in a data breach. An alias email address is a great way for you to stop receiving constant spam mail by simply deleting the email alias address. See my review of best secure and private email services here

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A woman checking her email on her laptop while on the phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Just like managing your contacts in a physical address book or on your phone takes time, managing them in your email system does, too. But by safelisting emails and using aliases to prevent spam, you’ll get your email right where you want it.

What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to managing your email subscriptions, and how do you address it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Substack data breach exposed users’ emails and phone numbers

Published

2 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Press Room

Substack data breach exposed users’ emails and phone numbers

Substack is notifying some users that the email addresses and phone numbers linked to their accounts were exposed in a “security incident” last year. In an email to account holders, Substack CEO Chris Best said that a hacker had accessed internal data without authorization in October 2025, but that passwords, credit card numbers, and other financial information remain secure.

“On February 3rd, we identified evidence of a problem with our systems that allowed an unauthorized third party to access limited user data without permission, including email addresses, phone numbers, and other internal metadata,” Best said in the email. “We do not have evidence that this information is being misused, but we encourage you to take extra caution with any emails or text messages you receive that may be suspicious.”

Substack says that it has since fixed the security problem, and is now conducting a full investigation alongside bolstering its systems “to prevent this type of issue from happening in the future.” The platform didn’t provide any details regarding what the security issue was, or how many users have been impacted — myself and several Verge colleagues who also use Substack did not receive the email. We have reached out to Substack for clarification.

“I’m incredibly sorry this happened,” Best said in the email to users. “We take our responsibility to protect your data and your privacy seriously, and we came up short here.”

Technology

How tech is being used in Nancy Guthrie disappearance investigation

Published

2 hours ago

February 5, 2026

Press Room

How tech is being used in Nancy Guthrie disappearance investigation

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Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing from her home in the Catalina Foothills area near Tucson after she failed to appear for church and could not be reached by family. When deputies arrived, several things stood out. Her phone, wallet and car keys were inside the home. The daily medication she relies on was left behind. Given her age and mobility challenges, investigators said she would not have left voluntarily.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department has since stated publicly that the case is being treated as a suspected abduction, and the home was processed as a crime scene. As the search continues, investigators are piecing together not only physical evidence and witness tips, but also the digital trail left behind by everyday technology.

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Investigators are examining digital clues from phones, cameras and networks to help narrow the timeline in the Nancy Guthrie missing person investigation. (Courtesy of NBC)

Why technology matters in missing person investigations

In cases like this, technology rarely delivers a single smoking gun. Instead, it helps investigators answer quieter but critical questions that shape a timeline. Investigators ask when everything still looked normal. They look for the moment when devices stopped communicating. They try to pinpoint when something changed. Phones, medical devices, cellular networks and cameras generate timestamps. Those records help narrow the window when events may have taken a dangerous turn.

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Smart cameras and neighborhood footage can provide crucial time markers, even when images are unclear or partially obscured. (Courtesy of NBC)

How investigators connect data across agencies

Behind the scenes, investigators rely on advanced analytical systems to connect information from multiple sources and jurisdictions. In Tucson and across Pima County, law enforcement agencies use artificial intelligence-assisted crime analysis platforms such as COPLINK, which allows data sharing with at least 19 other police departments across Arizona. These systems help investigators cross-reference tips, reports, vehicle data and digital evidence more quickly than manual searches.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Tucson Police Department and the FBI also work through real-time analytical crime centers, including Tucson’s Real-Time Analytical Crime Center (TRACC). These centers allow analysts to review large volumes of data together, from phone records and license plate reads to surveillance timestamps.

This type of analysis does not replace traditional police work. It helps narrow timelines, rule out possibilities and prioritize leads as new information comes in.

Bluetooth data and Apple’s potential role

iOS may retain low-level Bluetooth artifacts outside the pacemaker app. Access to this data typically requires:

Legal process
Apple cooperation
Device forensic extraction

Bluetooth artifacts cannot determine distance. They cannot show that two devices were a few feet apart. What they can sometimes provide is timestamp correlation, confirming that a Bluetooth interaction occurred. That correlation can help align pacemaker activity with phone movement or inactivity. It is not publicly known whether Apple has been formally contacted in this case. An inquiry has been made. Apple typically does not comment on specific investigations but may confirm what categories of data could be available.

What the iPhone itself may reveal

Even without medical data, the iPhone left behind may provide valuable corroboration. With proper legal access, investigators may examine:

Motion sensor activity
Cellular network connections
Wi-Fi associations
Camera metadata
Power and usage patterns

This data can help establish whether the phone moved unexpectedly or stopped being used at a specific time. Again, the value lies in confirming timelines, not speculating motives.

Cell tower data and coverage around the home

Public mapping databases show dense cellular coverage in the area surrounding the Guthrie residence. There are 41 cell towers within a three-mile radius. The closest carrier towers are approximately:

AT&T at 1.0 mile
Verizon at 1.4 miles
T-Mobile at 3.0 miles

Carrier records can be analyzed to identify device connections, sector handoffs and anomalous activity during the critical window between Saturday evening and Sunday morning. This analysis is complex, but it can help confirm whether a device moved or disconnected unexpectedly.

Cameras, license plate readers and neighborhood footage

Investigators are also reviewing surveillance systems. Tucson primarily uses Verkada cameras integrated with the Fusus platform. Flock Safety cameras are used in other parts of the region, including South Tucson.

More than 200 automatic license plate readers are deployed in the broader area, allowing investigators to review historical vehicle movements during the critical time window. These systems can capture license plates, vehicle make and color, vehicle type and alerts tied to suspect vehicles.

Private sources may matter just as much. Neighbor doorbell cameras and home systems can provide important timeline markers, even if the footage is grainy. Some modern vehicles also record motion near parked cars if settings are enabled.

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Everyday devices quietly record timestamps that may help investigators understand when something has changed and where to look next. (Courtesy of NBC)

Ways to keep your loved ones safe

Technology can help protect older or vulnerable relatives, but it works best when combined with everyday habits that reduce risk.

1) Use connected cameras

Install smart doorbell cameras and outdoor security cameras that notify family members when someone unfamiliar appears. Alerts can matter just as much as recorded footage. Many newer systems allow AI-based person detection, which can alert you when an unknown person is seen at certain times of day or night. These alerts can be customized, so family members know when activity breaks a normal pattern, not just when motion is detected.

2) Wear an emergency pendant or medical alert device

Emergency pendants and wearable SOS devices let someone call for help with a single press. Many newer models work outside the home and can alert caregivers if a fall is detected. Some devices also include GPS, which helps when someone becomes disoriented or leaves home unexpectedly. This remains one of the most overlooked safety tools for older adults.

3) Enable device sharing and safety features

If your loved one agrees, enable location sharing, emergency contacts and built-in safety features on their phone or wearable.

On smartphones, this can include:

Emergency SOS
Medical ID access from the lock screen
Trusted location sharing through apps like Find My

These features work quietly in the background, allowing help to reach the right people quickly without requiring daily interaction.

4) Create simple check-in routines

Use apps, text reminders or calendar alerts that prompt regular check-ins. If a message goes unanswered, it creates a reason to follow up quickly instead of assuming everything is fine. Consistency matters more than complexity.

5) Use devices with passive safety monitoring

Some phones, wearables and home systems can detect changes in normal daily activity without requiring a button press. For example, smartphones and smartwatches can notice when movement patterns suddenly stop or change. If a device that usually moves every morning stays still for hours, that shift can trigger alerts or prompt a check-in from a caregiver. Smart home systems can also flag unusual inactivity. Motion sensors that normally register movement throughout the day may show a long gap, which can signal that something is wrong. Passive monitoring works in the background. It reduces the need for constant interaction while still creating early warning signs when routines break.

6) Know emergency contacts and escalation steps

Enable smart alerts from home security systems so that family members know when doors open late at night, remain open longer than normal or when systems are armed or disarmed. Fire and smoke listener alerts and bedside panic buttons add another layer of protection, especially overnight. Car apps can also share safety signals, such as when a vehicle is unlocked, a door or window is left open or when location sharing is enabled with trusted family members.

“No single device can protect someone on its own,” a law enforcement expert told CyberGuy. “What helps most is layering. A camera paired with a wearable. A phone paired with check-ins. Technology paired with human attention. Each layer adds context and reduces blind spots. Together, they create earlier warnings and faster responses when something goes wrong.”

Kurt’s key takeaways

The disappearance of Nancy Guthrie is heartbreaking. It also highlights how deeply modern technology is woven into everyday life. Digital data from phones, cellular networks, and cameras can offer valuable insights, but only when used responsibly and in compliance with privacy laws. As this investigation continues, technology may help law enforcement narrow timelines and test theories, even if it cannot answer every question. In cases like this, every detail matters.

As digital footprints grow more detailed, should tech companies give law enforcement broader access when someone goes missing? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Technology

Google’s annual revenue tops $400 billion for the first time

Published

14 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Press Room

Google’s annual revenue tops 0 billion for the first time

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has earned more than $400 billion in annual revenue for the first time. The company announced the milestone as part of its Q4 2025 earnings report released on Wednesday, which highlights the 15 percent year-over-year increase as its cloud business and YouTube continue to grow.

As noted in the earnings report, Google’s Cloud business reached a $70 billion run rate in 2025, while YouTube’s annual revenue soared beyond $60 billion across ads and subscriptions. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai told investors that YouTube remains the “number one streamer,” citing data from Nielsen. The company also now has more than 325 million paid subscribers, led by Google One and YouTube Premium.

Additionally, Pichai noted that Google Search saw more usage over the past few months “than ever before,” adding that daily AI Mode queries have doubled since launch. Google will soon take advantage of the popularity of its Gemini app and AI Mode, as it plans to build an agentic checkout feature into both tools.