Avoiding Spam

E-Mail has become ubiquitous as a communication tool today. With the rising usage of E-Mail comes the rising occurrence of spam. Here are some basic tips for avoiding or at least reducing spam in your in-box:

• Do not use your primary E-Mail address on message boards, online forums etc. Use a second 'disposable' E-Mail address for these websites.
• Avoid opening E-Mails from someone you do not know or do not trust. These could contain software or script which might harm your computer.
• Do not reply to a spam E-Mail. You are unknowingly just validating your E-Mail address as being currently live.
• Use anti-spam and filtering software. However, keep in mind that even the best anti-spam software cannot stop all the spam and some may even mark legitimate E-Mails as spam.
• If you are using an E-Mail client like Outlook or Thunderbird, instruct your antivirus software to scan incoming E-Mail.
• Install a spyware / malware checker and run it once a week to detect and remove any spyware or trojans.