email problems

[shoehorn]

I hope this is the right place to post and that someone can advise...
We're getting lots of spam emails at home - and they are becoming more sexually explicit in nature.
No-one who has access to the PC has been to any 'dodgy' sites.
Our email address has been used on various sites that were OK - could these sites since have sold the address on?
I've also been receiving similar email at work - so is this a general problem at the moment?
Is there something I can do about it?
Not only is it annoying... but we have a 7 year old who is starting to use the computer more and will soon be emailing (better than me no doubt!) and we don't want him to see any of this stuff.
I'm happy to buy software to stop it (unless there's another way) but I'm not sure what - are there any recomendations?
Any thoughts / help / advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

[tinners]

Think it's just a sad state of the internet these days.

Yes a site you have used could have sold on your details but I dont think many reputable sites do this.

More likely is someone's PC with your address in their address book has been compromised by virus etc. and this information has then been sent onto spammers.

You didnt post your email on any forums though did you ?

Only options really are to get a decent spam filter, or use "disposable" e-mail addresses like those available with yahoo, where you can set up temporary email addresses pointing to your inbox which you can delete when they start getting spam.

[hermanmunster]

First see if your ISP offers spam filtering...most do. Second Activate it. then Third, you could set up some email rules. Just allow email from addresses you choose and delete the rest.
It's not very flexible and you have to remember to add in the addresses you are happy to recieve from, but it will work and protect you from anything that gets through.
It is a real pain especially when you have children to protect.

[stratagem]

And don't hit the unsubcribe button in the email, it just tells them you're really there.

My Outlook 2003 junk filter collects approx 300 per day, most traps were automatic, a bit of effort flagging new ones as junk and very little gets through now.

I also have pictures turned off (just click a to turn on when you want to), this is both safer against attacks and things you dont want to see.

[shoehorn]

Yes.. the worst bit is the children bit.
He's reading and enjoying it... I don't want to have to explain the meaning of the email title he is able to read
What about the net itself - do people with children on here use something like NetNanny...?
Is it any good?