Alias vs secondary email account: Which for better privacy?

Are you wondering how to effectively protect your privacy online and secure yourself against spam? The choice between an email alias and a secondary email account could be crucial for your email security. In this article, we'll compare both solutions, showing their advantages and disadvantages in the context of online privacy protection.

What is an email alias and what is a secondary account?

Before we compare them, let's explain these concepts in simple terms. An email alias, which we call a relay in Hetman Relay, is an email address that forwards messages to your main inbox. You can disable or delete it at any time. It's like hiring a doorman who filters your correspondence before it reaches you.

A secondary email account is simply another, separate mailbox that you need to create with an email provider. It's like renting an additional apartment - you need to furnish it, clean it, and check it regularly.

A practical example from real life

Imagine a situation that happened to Joanna. She registered with an online store using her primary email address. After a few weeks, the store fell victim to a data breach, and her address ended up in the wrong hands. Joanna started receiving dozens of unwanted messages, including phishing attempts.

If Joanna had used a relay instead of her primary address, the situation would have been completely different. After the data breach, she would simply need to disable one relay, and her primary email address would remain safe. This shows how an email alias can effectively protect against the consequences of such incidents.

Advantages of using email relays

Spam protection is much more effective when using relays. When one of your aliases starts receiving unwanted messages, you can simply disable it. You don't need to create a new account or change your habits.

Another advantage is online privacy protection. Thanks to relays, your real email address remains hidden. You don't need to provide it when registering with stores, on forums, or when signing up for newsletters. This makes it much harder for companies to track your online activity.

Managing relays is extremely simple. All messages go to one inbox, so you don't need to remember multiple logins and passwords. Hetman Relay offers an intuitive interface that allows you to easily create new relays and manage existing ones.

When can a secondary email account be useful?

Although relays offer excellent spam protection and email security, there are situations where a traditional secondary email account can be useful. For example, when you want to completely separate work from personal life or when you need an official address for business purposes.

However, it's worth remembering that even in these cases, relays can provide an additional layer of protection. You can use a secondary email account for important contacts, and relays for all other situations where there's a risk of data breaches or phishing.

How to hide your email address and increase your security?

Regardless of whether you ultimately choose an email alias or a secondary account, it's crucial to start protecting your primary email address. The fewer services that know it, the lower the risk that it will become a target for attacks or end up on spammers' lists.

Remember that online privacy protection isn't just about avoiding spam. It's also about protection against phishing and data breaches. Every time you provide your real email address, you increase the risk that it will be used by people with bad intentions.

Summary

Both email aliases and secondary accounts have their advantages. However, in the context of email security and spam protection, relays offer a much more flexible and effective solution. They allow you to maintain anonymity, easy management, and quick response to unwanted messages.

If you want to simply improve your online privacy protection, consider using Hetman Relay. Create your first relay today and see how easily you can regain control of your email inbox. Your email security is worth this simple change!