There are three main ways to avoid SPAM on this page I will cover: how to stop spammers getting your email address, unsubscribing from non-SPAM sources flooding your inbox , and how to filter SPAM out of your email.

Spammers collect email from any source they can, they have programs that scour web pages, news groups etc for emails to add to their lists. So the first thing is: BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU WRITE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS; don't add it willy nilly to every page of your web site, your company website, online directories, discussion forums etc.

But if you don't give out your email address how are people going to email you? Trusted people can have your email address, you can give it to them directly, by email or phone etc. For all other purposes I suggest the use of sneakemail.com which allows the creation of multiple disposable email addresses which forward to your main email address. Should a spammer get hold of one of these addresses you can apply filters or just delete that account. You will be able to tell which account the email came from as sneakemail labels the emails with a description such as 'from my web page'. This allows you to replace that email address with another without losing any emails. It's FREE too!

I use sneakemail for two purposes:
First contact - if someone wants to contact me because they have seen something on my web page etc If I decide I like them I will reply using my proper email account.
Another purpose is various subscriptions, purchases etc online - I give each a separate email account (yes it's that easy!) so I know who has leaked my address and can stop the SPAM easily.

If you are getting loads of newsletters and 'company update' emails you probably agreed to them being sent when you signed up or bought something online. If you don't want them anymore unsubscribe! Most SPAM filters will see them as legitimate emails and will not filter them.

If you find that despite all your precautions spammers still get your email you can try to filter out some of that rubbish with spam filters. A lot of email providers and ISPs include SPAM filters in their systems. However, these generally don't filter all the SPAM. If you want a more thorough SPAM filter with loads of extra functions to help you report SPAM try spamcop.net

Did you know that by simply opening a spam email on a web based accounts and most email programs you are telling a spammer that you have read their email?
This is only true of HTML encoded emails. This works by the spammer including a tag within the coding of the email that points to their computer with a reference number that relates to your email address. When your web browser or email software opens your email (even in the preview pane in Outlook) it tries to access this link, and hey presto the spammers know you opened their email and will send you more!

One thing you may want to consider is opting out using the DMA's opt out facility for personal addresses or whole domains.