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Email
What is Email Alias?
A forwarding address that routes email to your real inbox without revealing your actual email address, enabling compartmentalization and spam control.
Email aliases let you give every service a unique address, so you can identify who leaked or sold your email.
How They Work
- Create a unique alias for each service (shopping@alias.com, bank@alias.com)
- All aliases forward to your real email
- If one alias gets spam, you know who shared it
- Disable the alias without affecting your real address
Services
- SimpleLogin (Proton): Open source, custom domains, PGP encryption
- addy.io: Open source, generous free tier
- Firefox Relay: Mozilla's aliasing service
- Apple Hide My Email: Built into iCloud+
- Proton Pass: Includes email aliases with password manager
Best Practices
- Use a unique alias for every online account
- Use a descriptive format: servicename@yourdomain.com
- Disable aliases that start receiving spam
- Keep a few "permanent" aliases for important contacts
Related Terms
Compartmentalization
The practice of separating different activities, identities, or data into isolated compartments so that a compromise in one doesn't affect the others.
Pseudonymity
The state of using a consistent fake identity rather than your real name. Unlike anonymity, pseudonymity allows building reputation and history while protecting real-world identity from casual observers.
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