re: Outlook Express - filters
In Outlook Express 6 under Options, and then under the "Security" tab, there is a check box labeled "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that potentially could be a virus." This stops almost everything, including what you would like to receive. I have unchecked this, and attachments work again.
The "Message Rules" function does allow you to create some pretty good filters to stop spam. If it was smart enough to see "via.g.ra" or "vi a g ra" as "viagra," it would work like a charm.