1. Don't post your email address on a public Web page

This includes your own (or employer's) website, and other sites such as eBay. If you must post an address, you can thwart spammers' harvesting software by using "janedoe at isp.co.nz," not "janedoe@isp.co.nz." Or display your address as a graphic image, not text.

2. Don't use your regular email address in a chat room

Instead, use a different screen name. If it attracts too much spam, discard it.

3. Don't use an easy-to-guess email address

Don't create an email address with the same spelling as your name, such as "Jim.Smith@isp.co.nz". Instead, choose a harder-to-guess one with embedded digits, such as "Jim8mith2@isp.co.nz".

4. Don't click on an email's "unsubscribe" link

That informs the sender that your address is active. Don't do it unless you trust the sender.

5. Read privacy policies

Don't disclose your address to a site without checking its privacy policy. And don't forget to uncheck "check boxes" that grant the site or its partners permission to send you anything nonessential.

6. Don't forward chain letters, petitions, or virus warnings

All could be a spammer's ploy to collect addresses. See Virus hoaxes for more information.