As I move through the forums and newsgroups, the most frequently asked question is how to deal with and prevent spam.

If you go online, it's almost impossible to prevent but you can do things to help minimize the possibility of getting spam.

First, be very careful about filling out forms online. Most such forms will ask for an e-mail address. Get a second e-mail address from one of the web based services such as Hotmail for the specific purpose of using on those forms. You'll find, even after filling out a form at the seemingly most secure of sites, your spam rate increases. A precaution such as this will help cut it down.

Second, if you participate in nntp newsgroups using Outlook Express or some other newsreader, don't place your e-mail address in the properties when you set up a server. If you use a second e-mail address such as Hotmail as mentioned above, try user@#hotmail.com. Note the extra character between the "@" and Hotmail. Ignore the warning in Outlook Express that this appears to be an invalid e-mail address.

Spammers use special "bots" which troll newsgroups looking at the properties of messages in order to collect e-mail addresses. The above helps foil that ploy by misdirecting the spam and if they've programmed the "spambots" to decipher this misdirection, they still don't have a name to tie to the domain.

Third, be aware of cookies. Most people don't even realize cookies are being deposited on their system because they haven't set their browser to alert them or are not using any other application for that purpose. Internet Explorer can be set to prompt you and ask before accepting.

In order to activate this feature, in Internet Explorer, go to Tools and select Internet Options. Go to the Security tab, click "Custom Level" and scroll to the Cookies section. Once there, set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" to "Prompt" and set "Allow per-session cookies (not stored)" to "Prompt."

These settings will cause Internet Explorer to prompt you before a cookie is deposited. In most cases, you can decline but some sites require a cookie for entry so you will have to decide if you wish to accept and run the risk of possible spam as a result.

With Internet Explorer, the "Prompt" option is all or nothing but there is software which allows for greater configuration. Cookie Pal, www.kburra.com, has options which allow you to always accept or always decline cookies from a specific source. Cookie Pal's alert tells you when a cookie expires. If you visit a site with many cookies but all are removed at the end of a session, you can opt to accept those cookies without having to keep clicking accept or decline. It's usually pretty safe to accept cookies that are removed when you leave a site.

Now, you should be aware, not only do some sites require cookies but if you configure a site for personalization, that information is stored in a cookie. Personally, I try not to personalize sites for that very reason. One of the advantages of being prompted about cookies is you can then test a site to see if you can enter when you decline. If not, at least the choice is yours as to whether or not entering is worth accepting a cookie and running the risk of additional spam.

With many moving to broadband Internet access such as cable and DSL, there has been a lot of talk lately about firewalls and proxy servers. Both can also help you avoid spam. As you move about the Internet there are all kinds of signals moving with you. In most cases, these signals are innocent but sometimes they are probes from hackers or various web sites which send out a "ping" to obtain information which might give them a clue as to where to send spam.

The signal might not come from the web page you are visiting but come from an advertiser on that web page. Further, the advertiser, once alerted to your presence, might then deposit a cookie and, bang, you've been identified again.

However, a firewall can deflect a probe. A good firewall will close ports (access points) on your system and will alert you it has blocked such a probe. You need not worry about the alerts because usually the firewall tells you it has blocked the probe. This is important because it prevents outsiders from obtaining information from such a probe. A very popular and effective firewall right now is Zone Alarm, available at www.zonelabs.com. The version for personal use is free and it's very easy to use.

Finally, if you want to do a little extra configuration, you can use a proxy server application. If you think you have yourself pretty well hidden, go to the following site and test your anonymity: http://cavency.virtualave.net/cgi-bin/jenv.cgi

Using a proxy server prevents you from revealing your point of origin simply by accessing a web site and trust me, it definitely cuts down on the spam.

I use an application called Anonymity 4 Proxy. It is not free, it costs $45 but it is easy to use, it comes with a list which includes many free anonymous proxy servers around the Internet and the price entitles you to free updates to A 4 Proxy and the proxy database for life. An application such as this creates a redirect. Essentially, you access the internet through the proxy server. You connect through your ISP but all transmission of data goes through the proxy.

There is a trial version which comes with a small list and if you purchase the product, there is a larger list which they update. They notify you when updates are available. There's a quick start option on the help menu which makes setup fairly easy. Please note, unless they have changed it, the default proxy in the list is no longer functional so you will have to select another but I can tell you, this product works. Anonymity 4 Proxy is available at http://www.inetprivacy.com/welcome.htm. Also note, this application does not mask your ISP information when you use newsgroups, this is strictly for your Internet connection and surfing the web.

All of this really boils down to an ounce of prevention. It won't end your spam completely but this and a little online caution should help reduce it substantially.