A message filter allows you to FILTER OUT any unwanted messages from members who don't meet your criteria. To activate your message filter select the criteria of the people whose messages you are interested in receiving, and set your message filter settings to "ON". Any messages sent from members who don't meet your criteria will be automatically FILTERED OUT into your filtered folder. You should still periodically check your filtered messages to see if you have any wanted messages from people who meet part of your criteria.