If you’ve got a relatively common name, like me, then don’t use it as the basis for your email address or logins. Instead, add a number before or after the name (you may forced to do this anyway, if someone with the same name has already registered).

There are several benefits to obfuscating your name slightly: First, you will be less susceptible to spam mail if your email address is david.bradley123@ISP.net as opposed to david.bradley@ISP.net because many programs generate addresses automatically from known names and surnames. Secondly, you will be less likely to be a victim or hacking as similarly those b*st*rds won’t necessarily guess your name either.

But, the biggest advantage is that you won’t get dozens of registrations from people who register legitimate accounts with your david.bradley@ISP.net by mistake rather than adding in their own david.bradley321@ISP.net

Next week’s SQT reveals an essential tip that will save you heartache if you’re a frequent blog commenter