We've all dealt with it to varying degrees.  Spam.  It clogs our inbox, displays words we really don't want to see, even occasionally pretends it is YOU when sending spam to others.  We hate it.

Controlling spam requires action on several fronts.  Some actions are a lot more tolerable than others.  Here are suggestions from the Federal Trade Commission (and me!) ...

• Try not to display your email address in public.  This includes on forums, in chat rooms, on web sites, even on online membership directories, UNLESS they can confirm that your email is not displayed in text, but via javascript obfuscation (a big word that means it "hides" your email address using a piece of code).  At RF Web Design, we've been obfuscating email addresses in web site pages for several years now.
• Check the privacy policy when you submit your email address to a web site.  See if it allows the company to sell your address.  If so, can you opt out? Or leave out your email address?  If not, consider using a secondary email address that you use only for these purposes.
• You can create a secondary email address that forwards emails sent to this secondary email address to your primary/permanent email address.  Then, if that secondary email address begins to receive spam, you can discard it without affecting your permanent address, and create a new secondary email.
• Use a unique email address.  Spammers use "Dictionary  Attacks" to sort through possible name combinations, hoping to find a valid email address.  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it will receive more spam then This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Report spam to the Federal Trade Commission.  Send a copy of unwanted or deceptive messages to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  It helps them to pursue law enforcement actions against spammers.
• Consider changing your email address....yes, this step is more painful.  Notify your clients of the change, then just do it!  At the same time, begin using a secondary email address for cases when you don't know how that email addresses will be protected.
• For larger businesses, insure your employees are not using their work email for private uses, such as signing up for dating services or free web-based greeting cards (it happens!). These email addresses are often sold to third parties.
• Use spam filters.  These are often available in the software used to read your downloaded email (such as Outlook 2007).

I'll provide more tips in future Really Fine Newsletters!  Are you on the mailing list?  If not, sign up on the home page.

Source for these spam reducing tips: www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/tech/tec02.pdf