How to Stop Spam Before It Reaches Your Inbox

Spam filters are useful, but they only act once your address is already on someone's list. The most effective defence is to keep your main address off those lists in the first place.

1. Keep your main address for what matters

Share your personal address only with people and services you really trust, such as your bank, your employer and your friends. Everything else can use a different address.

2. Use a disposable address for one-time sign-ups

Coupons, downloads and short trials are the classic ways to end up on mailing lists. A temporary address lets you finish the sign-up, and any later marketing goes nowhere.

3. Do not publish your address openly

Automated programs collect email addresses from public web pages and forums. If you must share one publicly, use an address you can afford to replace.

4. Be careful with unsubscribe links

Unsubscribing works well for real companies that you recognise. For obvious junk, clicking any link can confirm that your address is active, so mark the message as spam instead.

5. Look at the boxes on sign-up forms

Many forms come with a marketing option already ticked. Take a second to untick it before you submit.

6. Check whether your address has leaked

A sudden wave of spam can mean that your address was exposed in a breach. Change the password on any affected accounts and turn on two-factor authentication where you can.