Techniques to stop spam fall into two categories: Filtering out spam and minimizing the exposure of your email addresses

Anti-Spam Tips	Reason
Use unusual email addresses	Most spammers use spam bots to guess at email addresses. Using unusual or irregular email addresses containing numbers and letters can help reduce spam to your email box.
Don't provide email address over IM	Protect your email address! Don't send your email address through public chat rooms, IM services or Internet bulletin boards and newsgroups. This will make it harder for senders of spam to find your email address.
Provide a form not an email address on your website	If you want users of your Web site to contact you online, provide a form. Make sure the "send to" email address is not contained in the page HTML, but in the form processing script. If your email address appears less frequently online, you will be less of a target for spam.
Don't EVER reply to unsolicited email or spam messages.	Never reply to spam messages even when they entice you to reply to "remove" you from their mailing lists. Often these instructions are  a means to collect more email addresses. Replying confirms to the spammers that your email address is active, and you may get even more unsolicited emails and spam messages.
Use phony email addresses if you are able	Most Web-based sign-up forms require an email address. If you don't want to hear from the site (and don't need a confirmation e-mail or tech support), don't give a real email address.
Opt out of as many lists as possible	When you do sign up for or buy something online and you have to give out an email address, remember to opt out of everything you're not absolutely sure you want to receive.
Never submit personal information to non-secure Web sites	Never submit your credit card details or other personal information to non-secure Web sites. Secure Web sites will have a locked padlock icon that appears in yellow, or in a yellow box, on the bottom bar of the order form Web browser.
Use a Hosted Anti  Spam Firewall or Appliance from Barracuda	Even if you follow the above instructions, you're will likely continue to receive spam and unsolicited email. With a Hosted Barracuda Spam Firewall or appliance or subscription to a Hosted email protection anti spam service, your domain's spam will be immediately reduced. Try our hosted email anti spam protection today for free by clicking on "FREE TRIAL"

Anti-Spyware Tip	Reason
Keep your anti spam and anti virus systems up to date	Keep your anti spam and anti virus systems updated--  anti-spyware packages. New spyware, viruses and email spam comes out every day. Be sure to update your operating system too.
Do not click pop-ups	Pop-up windows will usually leave you open to viruses, spam and spyware. Clicking on a pop-up link may install spyware software on your system and invite viruses and spam email .
Don't download  files from untrusted sources	Do not download files or click on links from untrusted sources. Just one downloaded file may propagate a virus or install malicious spyware on your system leaving you vulnerable to spam and unwanted email.
Beware when downloading files anywhere on the Internet	If you are uncertain of the source, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-spyware and anti-virus software.
Set your Barracuda Web Filter and Hosted email protection to update automatically	Most computers connected to the Internet are infected with viruses, spam bots and spyware. Barracuda Networks web filter and spam firewall automatically updates system with the most current anti spam and spyware rules and definitions hourly for maximum protection against spam and viruses.
Be highly skeptical of free offers	Mostsites offering toolbars or other free downloads are come-ons. Don't download programs from sites you don't trust or know. You may well be exposing your computer to viruses and spyware by downloading some of these programs. You may also be inviting spam and other unwanted email.
Use a hosted email protection service	This will stop spam and viruses before they reach your network

Anti-Virus Tips	Reason
Never open email attachments from untrusted senders	Never open files attached to an email from strangers, suspicious or untrustworthy sources, or files attached to an email if the subject line is questionable or unexpected. These often contain viruses or confirm you email address for spammers.
Don't open untrusted files or attachments	Viruses can duplicate themselves and spread to email users.
Do not download any files from unknow sources	Do not download files from strangers even if the subject line sounds like they know you. All it takes is one downloaded file to propagate a virus.
Always scan diskettes or CD disks for viruses	Always scan diskettes or CD disks that have been obtained from unreliable resources for viruses. If you lend your diskette to someone, scan it when it is returned.
Be careful when downloading files from the Internet	Ensure that the source is a legitimate and reputable one. Verify that an anti-virus program checks the files on the download site. If you're uncertain, don't download the file at all or download the file to a floppy and test it with your own anti-virus software.
Ensure that you hosted email anti spam protection service is updated regularly. Set your Barracuda Spam Firewall to update itself automatically	Hundreds of spammers and viruses are discovered each month, so you'll want to be protected. Perimetec hosted anti spam and Barracuda Networks automatically update your Spam Firewall with the latest spam and virus definitions hourly.
Back up your files on a regular basis	Make sure your important data is backed up regularly and the procedures for restoring your data work properly. This way, should you get hit with a virus, at least you will be able to restore your most important data. You should store your backup copy in a separate location from your work files, one that is preferably not on your computer.