First, and mainly, have different addresses and don't get them mixed up. Use #1 for friends and family only, #2 is for online stuff, like ordering freebies, that you don't really want going to your main email address.
For address #2 use any free web-based e-mail service that you want often you will have to confirm that your address is real by replying to a "Confirmation e-Mail", but you probably won't want to use your main address for this kind of stuff. After a while you will be getting a lot of junk mail despite your best efforts. Stop using that address and get a new one. Don't forget to delete the old address.
Most legitimate freebie offers will have a checkbox that will allow you to opt-out of their newsletters. Un-Check the box unless you do want to receive their mail.
Some forms will have a checkbox to ask permission for them to share your information with third parties or 'advertising partners never give them that permission.
There are a few other ways to reduce the amount of spam that you receive. Never ever reply to unsolicited e-mail! Not Even To Unsubscribe! If you reply, all you have accomplished is to tell the spammer that your address is real and active.
Avoid putting your address in any site or page that will display it like guestbooks or forums. If you really want to, you can alter it so the web 'harvester-bots' can't use it simply be adding a character or making a blank space where there shouldn't be one.
Get and use some sort of spam filtering software. I'm not recommending any one or other, just find one and use it.
Unfortunately, sooner or later your address will get on a list, then probably on a disc somewhere, and you'll get more and more junk. Learn to recognize the spam by the header or the subject and delete it. When it gets to be too much, that's when it's time to change addresses.
Tips to tell if it is a real company or not. After doing this for awhile you will learn real quick who is real and who is not.
1. Take a few minutes to look at the web site. Look for contact information and the privacy policy. Is it professionally done or does it look and 'feel' like someone just threw it together this afternoon? Do all the in-site links seem to be working?
2. Read the privacy policy.
When you read the privacy policy you will find out how your personal information is handled. It will usually fall into two main types.
A. "We will not sell, trade, or otherwise make your information available to anyone else."
B. "We will sometimes make your information available to our business partners and advertisers."
B is companies that are going to be giving your personal information to whoever is willing to pay for it. If you sign-up, do not give them your main e-mail address. Instead use one of your disposable addresses.
If you can't find a privacy policy don't give them any information.
3. Read the fine print.
Sometimes an offer looks real good at first, but not so good so after you read the agreement or fine print. It's up to you to decide how badly you want the freebie offered.
5. Is the offer still valid?
Look for an expiration date, or something that will 'date' the offer - sometimes a company will just stop maintaining the offer and 'forget' to remove the page, knowing that people will be entering their site from that page for a long time.
6. Be wary of free offers that require you to give more personal information than what seems appropriate when you compare it to the relative value of the freebie.
7. Before you send any information that you want kept private look for the secure icon or code. If it's not there, think twice before sending it.