Most of us get junk mail one time or another. Sometimes, it simply comes from email programs that simply make up email address combinations. That's plain bad luck there. I do not see that happening as much as it once did. I remember looking at the header, and seeing all sorts of iterations of my email address there. Other than using spam controlling programs, there is not an awful lot that can be done. We can take measures to reduce the other types of spam attacks that come from those trolling for addresses.

• Never list your "good" email address on any forums, guest books, etc. Likewise, do not use your "good" address when registering products unless you trust the company completely.
• Sign up for a free account for your "junk" emails. Use this address for things like forums, etc. if you think you might possibly get a valid email from a fellow forum member. Ask around about your friends' favorite "freebie" service. Every few days, look into the account to see if something is there you want to read. If you have an option to turn off the graphics, do so!! More on that later.
• Never click 'Unsubscribe'!! Notice I made this a biggie. If you never asked to receive emails from a source, over 99.99% of all "un-subscriptions" tell the spammer that they have a good address! They can then pile tons of junk on you and sell your address as a good one. Simply delete the email.
• Turn off graphics loading if you can. Many times, an email will have a coded graphics (picture) request that alerts the server that you opened the mail. It may be nothing more than one pixel (dot) that is the same color as the background. You will never see it, but it still is loaded, and the server keeps track of the fact that it was requested. Yahoo!, for example, has an option where you can stop graphics from downloading unless you ask for them. (Yes, Yahoo's "this is spam" really works, I find previously reported spam showing up in the "Bulk" folder if I ever get bored enough to look into it)
• Turn off Preview in Outlook or Outlook Express (Eudora, Netscape, etc.). While it seems more user-friendly, it also asks for all embedded files to be downloaded. With Preview turned off, delete the messages that look like spam, then open the ones you feel you want. Better yet, Turn off HTML in your email client. This will keep unwanted pictures out. You still can open and save the attachments if you trust them, they simply will not show up as part of the message.
• Read options very carefully when completing registrations, etc. The wording can be very tricky. You may have a series of "No's" to questions about this and that, then they hit you with the "Do you wish to be excluded from any emailings from us or our partners?" question. They hope to get you used to entering "No", so you will enter "No" for that question! Read carefully!!!
• Get a good anti-spam program. There are also online services as well to help eliminate spam. Many email clients like Outlook and OE will let you block addresses if you want to go it on your own. Outlook will allow blocking entire domains such as "spam4u.com" (just an example, I don't know if that domain exists or not). This is good when you have tons of spam coming from that domain. You can block the entire domain instead of blocking the hundreds or more addresses on that domain. Think twice before blocking domains like Hotmail, Yahoo!, AOL, etc., as you will also block legitimate emails from friends who use those services. The big names seem to be taking a bit more time addressing spam, but do not expect miracles! Look in the header for the "Return-Path" field for what hopefully is the actual source. You can put anything in the "sender" or "Reply To" field (Newer spam generating programs have their own built-in SMTP servers that can put any Return-Path address desired. I have received spam that would make me think I spammed myself.).

If you use an anti-spam program/service, remember that there will be messages missed, and some blocked that should get through. Some programs/services are better than others, but none are 100%. Paying attention to how you customize for your situation means a lot. One of the programs I use on the server looks hard at bold, brightly-colored text inside an email. A viewer of the site likes bold, bright colors...you get the picture...lots of missed emails as they were tagged and dumped!! (She now uses 'boring' colors & I'm waiting to hear the UK has a new YL ham among their ranks.)

Well, this is a start, and I will be adding things as I come across them.