If you have Outlook, I would use that rather than outlook express, it is the commercial version that ships with Office rather than the free "lite" version that ships with Internet Explorer. You have more control and flexibility.

Make sure that you have all the latest patches, and that you DO NOT "preview" your mail............that can launch a virus without you deliberately opening an e-mail.

There are other products that people seem to rate highly, but I cannot say that I have done any real testing in that area. It might be worth posting a new thread asking that...try the "general chit-chat" forum?

In business I have used Lotus Notes, Outlook and the old Digital system (bit limited but almost bullet proof.......what skiddie has even heard of Digital )

If you are not interested in e-mail replies, open a free account with one of the many providers. See what symbols are allowed in the address and try to put a none alphabetical one first eg:

8fred @xxxxx
#fred@xxxxx

This can cause the address to be dropped from some spamming systems, as they think it is a partial or corrupt address?.......no they don't actually "care" it's just that the fewer bounces, the longer the spammer can use the open relay.

Cheers