Even if you don't currently have a spam problem, it's very likely this article will be of interest to you sooner or later. Forecasts differ, but analysts predict that within the next three years, spam will account for between 30% and 50% of your mail.

What is spam?
Spam started out innocuously as nothing more than meat in a can. Then came a Monty Python sketch in the 1970s which featured a restaurant where all the meals contained Spam. It wasn't possible to get a meal without Spam, and nowadays it doesn't seem to be possible to get email without a side of spam as well.

The more precise definitions of spam are UBE (Unsolicited Bulk Email) and UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email). UCE implies any quantity of unsolicited email advertising commercial products, while UBE implies large quantities that may also promote non-commercial items. Of course, UCE is often UBE as well.

How can I avoid getting spam?
There is only one way never to receive spam again: delete all your email accounts and never connect to the Internet again!

It's sad but true. This is the only way to block 100% of spam email. You don't want to follow this tip? Some other tips are less drastic:

Be protective
Don't use your original email address in a newsletter, forum, usenet, etc. Instead, create a new address using one of the many free email providers. Or check out the services provided by SpamMotel (at http://www.spammotel.com) or SpamGourmet (at http://www.spamgourmet.com), etc. They can create dozens of alias addresses, like DHRGHNFZJHDRGH@Spammotel.com. This alias address forwards email to your original address. If you then receive too many spam messages you could a) identify who spread your address if you created a new address for each newsletter, etc. you signed up for, and b) delete the address so you're not bothered anymore.

Be elusive
Change your email address regularly. If spammers identified a valid address, your incoming spams will rise because addresses are sold. Using a new (forwarding) mail address reduces this traffic, but make sure to inform all your contacts.

Be cagey
Don't use easy to guess names. Spammers sometimes use name generators to create addresses, like John@domain.com or John1@domain.com, etc.

Be unresponsive
Once you've received spam, don't reply to it, even if there's a link at the bottom. By selecting this link, you will just approve that this address is still in use and you want to receive more spam.