Even if the email includes unsubscribing instructions, by responding you are telling the mail sender - or spammer - that they have reached your email account and that the email address exists. Simply block the while they're in your inbox.

Web addresses or images within Spam can be used to check that you've opened the email, encouraging spammers to send more. 

Many spammers buy email address lists from brokers, compiled from internet newsgroups, websites, chat rooms, membership directories and other sources. Only give your main email address to people you know. Use an alternative email address, for example Hotmail or Yahoo, for your online activities to keep your primary email off spam lists.

Check and double check the user agreement when signing up for services such as online banking, shopping or newsletters to ensure they won't share your email address with other organisations.

Some spam programs send junk mails in sequence, for example, joe.bloggs@domain.com, joe.jones@domain.com, joe.smith@domain.com. Putting character combinations in your address makes capturing your name difficult, for example,joe_no-spam@messagedefence.com, joe_filtered@messagedefence.com. See your network administrator about setting up additional email addresses.

Using the 'Inbox Rules Wizard' featured in Microsoft Outlook or Express, you can move all emails to specified folders, such as a junk email or the deleted items folder. You should however make sure you occasionally check that the filter isn't capturing emails you want to receive. In Outlook you can learn more about setting inbox filters up by clicking 'Help' and type 'filters' in the program.

Make sure you stay on the right side of the law. Your business may send regular emails to customers. However, on 11 December 2003, the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 came into force, rendering spam illegal without recipient consent. Please ensure you follow these guidelines to ensure your emails reach their destination and that you are following the law with emails you send.

Ensure that if you are sending marketing emails that you clearly label them, showing a valid email address that allows the recipient to unsubscribe. If you're sending an email to a subscriber list, check its content first, as this may determine whether it gets through spam filters.

	Avoid using capital letters and exclamation marks throughout your email.
	Take care not to continuously repeat the same set of words within the text.
	Send the email to yourself. If your anti-spam software, such as Message Defence stops the email, change the content.
	Limit the number of people you send your email to.