Tips to Stop Spam (Unsolicited Email)

Junk e-mail — also known as "spam" or unsolicited e-mail can be limited with the following strategies (written by newsletters.msn.com):

1. Use filters. Use an Internet service provider (ISP) with advanced junk-mail filters to keep out spam while helping to ensure you don't lose important messages. Look for ISPs that offer easy-to-use, customizable settings that allow you to choose your level of protection.

2. Be careful about disclosing your e-mail address. Junk mail gets to your inbox several ways. Some spammers send e-mail to random variations of e-mail addresses. Others buy address lists from Web sites where you registered or entered a contest that required you to give your e-mail address. Spammers can obtain your address from Internet white pages listings, guest books, newsgroups, resume postings, and chat rooms, too.

3. Help protect your privacy. If you plan to register at a Web site or enter a contest, check the site's privacy policy and terms of use statement. If the Web site doesn't explain how they use your information, reconsider registering your e-mail address and sharing other personal information.

4. Don't reply. Answering spam, even to "unsubscribe," just confirms your e-mail address is valid. Spammers usually ignore your wish to unsubscribe and add your e-mail address to their list. Then they send more spam and/or sell their list, creating more junk mail. Your best bet is to simply delete the spam messages from your inbox.

More info on how spammers get your address, and how to avoid it.

Another article about SPAM from Technology & Learning magazine.