AntiSpam Tips

• Use a disposable email address to subscribe to mailing lists and post to discussion forums.
• Filter out any email messages not specifically addressed to you.
• Report spam email to SpamCom.Net and other community databases.
• Install the latest version of your antispam product and set it to automatically update as often as possible.
• If you post an email message to a public forum, obscure your email address by adding something obvious to it. For instance, example@example.net would become example[deleteme]@example.net.
• Use a product such as Benign to remove Web bugs. This way, spammers won't know that you've read the email as the embedded html is removed.
• Some Spammers use a dictionary of common names to guess valid email addresses. Adding numbers to your email address makes it a lot harder to guess.
• Don't unsubscribe from spammers' email lists. Unsubscribing tells the spammer that your email address if valid.
• When you submit a form on a Web site, look out for check boxes which allow the Web site owner to disclose your email address to third parties - many sites already have them checked.
• Review the latest updates from your antispam vendor. Many products come with a list of common phrsases found in spam.

Firewall Tips

• Allowing a program to communicate on any port. Specifying a port range or a specific port limits your exposure.
• Allowing an application to communicate with the Internet just because it prompts you. If you don't know why an application is trying to gain access to the Internet, block it. You can always go back and change it when you find out what the program actually does.
• Password protecting the configuration. Your firewall password is the last line of defence - don't run the risk of someone changing your security settings.
• Not updating to the latest version. New versions provide added functionality and strengthen security.
• Relying on your firewall to block pop-ups. Most firewalls automatically configure themselves to block popups. However, it's important that your firewall has an exceptions list.
• Blocking cookies. Not all cookies are bad, but some firewalls treat all cookies the same. Use malware detection products to identify and block cookies that may threaten your privacy.
• If your firewall subscription or software is about to expire, try downloading a 30-day evaluation of another product.