If you use a web-based email service, there's probably not much you can do about spam. But if you use an email client (such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Mail or Thunderbird), using a program called Mailwasher will help.
Additionally though, you should be using multiple email addresses. Your 'personal' email address should be one which can't be guessed at by spammers' computers. (e.g. avoid using an address such as '
[email protected]'. Something like '
[email protected]' is much better). Further, you should regard that address as highly confidential and only reveal it to your closest friends and family members.
For internet shopping, and for signing up to web-based services like the Answerbank, you should create 'disposable' email addresses, which you can discard if they start filling up with spam.
Further information, and relevant links, can be found in the posts here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Comp uters/Question523930.html
Chris