A system and method for e-mail screening to prevent the spread of viruses and to compensate users for viewing unsolicited e-mails. Users have all incoming e-mails redirected to a e-mail screening site. When the user registers with the server of the present invention, the user designates a password to the screening site and inform email senders of the password. When email comes to the user, it is redirected to the server site. IF a password is present in the e-mail it is sent directly back to the user. If there is no password present, the email is scanned and the sender is notified that, for a fee, the email can be forwarded to the user. If the sender pays the fee to the server site, the scanned email is forwarded and the fee is then shared with the user.