Millions of people are receiving tons of spam and scams e-mails in their inboxes on a daily basis. Here are some hints and tips users can follow in reducing the number of spam and scam e-mails they receive.

Never Respond

Whenever you receive a spam or scam e-mail in your inbox, delete it without responding to it. Many spam messages contains an ‘Unsubscribe’ link and users are requested to click on the link to stop the mails from returning again. Never click on these links.

Use Mail Filters

The majority of mail programs make use of filters where users can enter certain words, such as ‘$$$’, ‘Opportunity’, ‘Money’, etc. E-mails containing these words will not be delivered to the user. Make use of these filters and keep updating them with keywords of new scam or spam messages that do filter through.

Use Mail Washer

Mailwasher.net offers a useful program, which allows the user to view an e-mail before it is downloaded. This software places the user in a position to delete harmful messages, spam and scam before they are downloaded onto a computer.

Make Use of Temporary Email Addresses

Always ensure that you have a public and private e-mail address. Your private e-mail address should never be used on the Internet and only give it to friends and family. You can register a temporary e-mail address with companies such as Yahoo.com and Gmail.com and use these e-mail addresses when you need to make use of an e-mail address somewhere on the Internet.

Keep Your E-mail Address Private

Never post your e-mail address on message boards, guest books, news groups, forums, classifieds, etc. Spammers often make use of small programs that search these types of websites and gather e-mail addresses from them. You will quickly find your e-mail on the lists of hundreds of spammers.

Start Afresh

If you find yourself in a position where you are receiving a lot of scam and spam messages, start over. Close your e-mail account and register a new one.