What is defined as a "false positive" in email filtering?

A "false positive" in email filtering refers to a situation where a legitimate email is incorrectly identified and classified as spam. This misclassification means that the email, which should have been allowed through the filters, is mistakenly blocked or directed to a spam folder, preventing the intended recipient from seeing it.

This can lead to significant issues, as important communications may be missed. High false positive rates can undermine user trust in the email filtering system, as users may become hesitant to rely on the technology when there's a risk of losing crucial messages.

Other scenarios presented do not align with the definition of a false positive: for instance, an email that is blocked due to suspected phishing involves a security measure to protect users, while an email marked as safe but containing malware is a case of a false negative. Lastly, a spam email that gets delivered successfully is simply an example of ineffective filtering but does not fit the description of a false positive at all.