Spam isn't usually sent from the website that's advertising it's wares. Most Internet Service Providers will not allow it. Some sites pay for someone else to do it, from a country where it isn't illegal. I've been contacted to see if I wanted spam sent out for this site, but obviously declined.
Some sites do send their own span, but the ISP needs to be based in a country that allows this (or turns a blind eye) as it brings in revenue to that country.
Many emails include a link saying 'If you received this e-mail in error, please reply with REMOVE in the subject and we will take you off our mailing list'.
DO NOT reply to these e-mails, as you're only confirming that they've hit a genuine address (unless it's from a site that you trust).
If spam includes an image and it displays in your email program, they've got you. The image loads from their site which tells them you've read their mail, and logs your email to be genuine. You won't notice anything until you're bombarded with spam as they've sold your address to every other spammer.
To delete an email, you've got to select it first, and that will still download the image if you're still connected to the internet. The other problem is that if it's the first email received, it will automatically display when you open your 'Inbox'.
The safest way is to read all your mail in plain text:-
Update:
If you've got Windows XP with all the SP2 updates, remotely loaded images are now blocked and it will ask you whether you want to display them. If you haven't subscribed to any site, DO NOT click the link to display the images.
Never give your primary email address to a site that insists you input one before you can enter or download something. Get a freebie email from any of the big ISP companies and they can be setup immediately. Most free email accounts are deleted if you don't use them for a period of 90 days. I've created some many now that I've forgotten the addresses!
The site that wants your email usually sends a password to the address you've given to verify that it is a real account. You retrieve your password and enter the site. Then they can spam the throw-away account as much as they like. That's how some sites make their money by selling valid email addresses. If you're getting something free, they want something in return.
Once a spammer gets hold of your email address, they will never tire of sending you mail as it's done automatically. They will never stop. The only answer is to change your email address, or block the spam. See the page on how to block and delete spam.
Google's Gmail is excellent (the one I use) with built-in virus and spam filtering and doesn't run out if you don't use it. It isn't really a throw-away email, more of a primary one with lots of great features, and you can send and receive mail from your computer with having to visit the site each time.
