Yes, spam is a problem.  I never left NS since I left AOL in 1996.  I refrain from IE, but some sites won't work right with any other browser (UGH).  Also, I use NS mail, and I think I like it lots better than some of my experience with Outlook.

Funny, I open a can of Spam and it still tastes bad....

Another remedy I have seen is to use a PRIVATE email account that you share with friends and business associates.  Use a SECOND "PUBLIC" email account through hotmail or gmail for those sites that require email for you to register.  You will still get spam, probably plenty, to that account but your PRIVATE account will get lots less.

It's pretty easy to hit the delete key.