Emails are handy communication tools at the heart of this digital age. You need email accounts for pretty much everything—for school or work correspondence, or even for signing up for social media. However, with the threat of cyber-attacks looming over cyberspace, we must take extra steps to protect our private information. Thankfully, you can reduce the risk of getting emails compromised when you use a disposable email service.
What Is a Disposable Email?
A reliable email service can take you a long way. If you’ve used the same email since the dawn of the internet, chances are you’ve linked it to a lot of sites. The problem is, all it takes is a visit to one bad site for hackers to get a hold of your email. From there, they can take advantage of any other places you use it with. These include your social media accounts or even your bank accounts.
These instances may be rare, but the consequences are damning. Still, you can never be too careful on the internet during these times. And this is where disposable email comes in.
Disposable email services lend you an email address and inbox for a tentative period of time. Many of these sites will scramble your address to boot, so that you cannot be traced. These temporary email sites can help you send or receive sensitive information in lieu of your personal inbox.
Best Disposable Email Services
To help you get started, we’ve compiled some of the best disposable email services on the web.
10MinuteMail
10MinuteMail is a free and easy-to-use disposable email service designed specifically to battle spam. You can access the site through any of your phone or desktop browsers. It has a clean and straightforward interface that you can navigate easily. When you enter the site, you are immediately assigned a domain name for exactly 10 minutes. You can copy this email by clicking the copy icon and pasting it on any prompt box asking for your email.
You then have 10 minutes to wait for a message to appear in the provided inbox. A countdown clock will count how many minutes you have left. You can extend 10 more minutes at any time, however, you will have to keep clicking to extend it. You don’t need to register to use this service, which may mean that you cannot keep any emails you receive.
Guerrilla Mail
Guerrilla Mail is an in-depth disposable email service that you don’t want to miss out on. Don’t be fooled by its interface. The app is tremendously useful. It has more functionality than most temporary email services all in one neat package. Not only will it generate a new domain name and temporary inbox for you, but it will also let you compose your own emails. It will also go to the extra step and scramble your email domain name so it is untraceable. This is perfect for sensitive emails where you must protect your identity.
You can also manage passwords on sites where you have used your fake domain name. You just need to keep track of a master password to keep everything organized. Guerrilla Mail also has separate services that will test whether or not your email services are working properly. All in all, a very exhaustive platform.
TrashMail.com
Trashmail is a great disposable email service. It will cloak your real email address once you sign up for an account. Any emails you will receive will go straight to your primary inbox. TrashMail also comes with a password manager for your generated emails. The service has a spam filtering feature. This prevents any spam emails from entering your primary inbox.
The basic free version already comes with a lot of features you can use for anonymity. However, upgrading to the Pro version will unlock more features. With TrashMail Pro, you can have an unlimited number of forwards. It also ensures that the service won’t delete any of your mail in the future.
ThrowAwayMail
ThrowAwayMail is the most simple and straightforward to use on this list. When you enter the site, you are immediately greeted with a simple interface where you receive your randomly generated domain. What makes ThrowAwayMail so great is that you can keep emails from the provided inbox for up to 48 hours. When the session has expired, all of the emails you received will be gone.
With ThrowAwayMail, there is no learning curve whatsoever. It has no bells and whistles, and simply focuses on providing you with the service. The downside is that it doesn’t have the other features some email services have, such as sending emails. This service is more for those that simply want a quick and easy way to get a temporary inbox.
Maildrop
Maildrop will allow you to create any email address you want. It will automatically give you the domain name “maildrop.cc” so that everything is unified. Not to mention, it will suggest a number of email addresses you may want to use as well. Maildrop’s interface is sleek and unobtrusive. You can input your email address in the top-right corner and click on the button next to it to view the inbox.
It is an open-source platform with a built-in spam filter within the site. That way, it blocks spam emails not just in your primary inbox, but your Maildrop inbox as well. All in all, it’s a great all-around tool that will keep you safe and secure on the internet.
Fakemail.net
Fakemail.net is one of the best disposable email services available. What sets it apart from other services is the extended time period of the inbox. When you receive your temporary inbox, you have the option to keep it for as fast as 10 mins to as long as two weeks. Simply toggle the settings on the website, and press the corresponding number of days you want.
Aside from a randomly generated email, it will also generate a password so that you can access these emails at any time. Fakemail advocates against cybercrimes and aims to give you complete protection. They stress that netizens may exercise caution when interacting with people and websites on the internet. They are also transparent about their process so that you know it’s safe.
TempMail
TempMail is a useful cross-platform email service. It will not only provide an email address but generate a QR code that you can use for seamless emailing. You can download the TempMail apps on any Android and iOS device, making it easier to access anywhere. TempMail developers promise a completely anonymous identity on the app. It is safe to use and highly convenient.
While the free version gives you a ton of great features already, you can elevate your experience by upgrading. When you upgrade, you get access to unlimited inboxes and addresses you can use simultaneously. You also get more storage time for each inbox and fewer ads. All in all, you won’t regret using this service.
Mailinator
While many on this list are designed specifically to combat spam, Mailinator is more focused on anonymity and email testing. Mailinator is a random domain generator to give you any email you want. Do you want to be “unicorn@mythicalcreatures.net”? Great. Now you can. In Mailinator, however, you are given one public inbox that you share with all Mailinator users. This doesn’t give you any privacy at all. So, be careful.
What it does do is to give you a completely randomized domain that you can use to test out your sites and email features. Emails sent to Mailinator will automatically be deleted after a few hours. If you do want a personal inbox, you can look into Mailinator’s paid subscription services. If you own a small business, this is worth looking into.
Email on Deck
Email on Deck is a discrete emailing service trusted by established news sites in the US. The site operates with a sleek, intuitive interface. It also provides you the necessary features you need to remain anonymous on the web. Aside from its email encryption, you can also pay for the service using Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency so that nothing can be traced back to you.
Using the free version, you can only use one email account at a time. However, upgrading to Pro will lend you up to 100 email accounts. The site also gives you the option to recover any previously deleted emails you have sent or received through the service.
Nada
Nada is a Google Extension made from the developers of Inboxes. Both Nada and Inboxes are services to prevent spam emails from spreading. With Nada, you can generate any email domain and receive emails through a number of inboxes. Note that Nada Inboxes are public, meaning anyone can access emails sent through the email address. Be mindful of what you send using this platform. However, Nada will not disclose the IP address and true identities of any Nada email users.
There is also no limit to the number of inboxes you generate. Developers themselves process more than 1,000 temporary emails per year, with the utmost discretion. As long as you continually use a specific inbox, it won’t delete any email or data that you send.
YOPmail
YOPmail is an underrated anonymous email service you should check out. It is simple and easy to navigate. Not to mention, you don’t need to sign up to create an account. The messages you send or receive are automatically kept for up to eight days. However, you can manually remove them whenever you want to. The service also has a built-in chat feature that lets you talk to other YOPmail users. There are over 12 YOPmail domains that you can choose from when you create your own address.
YOPmail also has a cool feature if you’re into making penpals. It comes with an anonymous email function that you can use to send private emails. Sadly, you can only send these emails to users of YOPmail. But if you have a pen pal and want to keep in touch, you can get them to create a YOPmail account, too.
ProtonMail
This Switzerland-based disposable email service comes with end-to-end encryption. It is completely safe to use, providing adequate protection for its users. ProtonMail’s servers are also in Switzerland, which adheres to and is protected by Swiss Privacy Laws. You will need to sign up to use their services, but it is a quick process with great results. It is open-source software that helps you take advantage of great features without paying anything.
You can also avail of the Premium and Visionary plans if you wish for more storage capacity. With Premium, you can get up to 5 GB of storage, while Visionary lends you 20 GB. You can also send and forward any of your emails up to 150 times or more in a day. They also have a VPN service that you can use while sending your emails so that your IP address and location will be disguised as well.
How Does Disposable Email Work?
A disposable email operates as your standard email does. You get an email address, an inbox, and ways to send or receive messages. The biggest difference is that this is temporary on these email services. Some can allow you to use it for more than a period of time, but for others, emails will disappear after 10 mins. or 24 hours.
When you use a temporary email, it will generate a randomized email address for you. This acts as an alias of sorts when you use the email. These may be a series of random numbers and letters with a random domain. The best temporary email services will even take it a step further and scramble it. That way, your inbox ID can’t be traced.
Types of Disposable Email
Alias
These are types of disposable emails that come from an established email provider. They are linked to actual accounts, but emails sent here get redirected to another folder. The emails don’t appear in your primary inbox. If you want to segregate your emails into separate inboxes, then this would be a good choice.
It is advisable to use these types of disposable emails when you are entering your email into trustworthy websites but don’t want your inbox to be clogged with too many updates and announcements.
Forwarding Account
On the other hand, emails sent to forwarding accounts will end up in an inbox from another domain. This will pass through the domain, but you can receive or forward these emails in your primary inbox as well.
The good thing about these types of email services is that email marketers won’t be able to tell which email provider you are using. They also will not get any accurate data about you opening the email. That said, this does not ensure anonymity.
Throwaway Account
Throwaway accounts are probably what you first think of when you hear about burner emails. As aforementioned, this email service will grant you an inbox and domain name only for a limited time. You will not receive any emails on any of your primary or secondary inboxes. If you provide a domain from a throwaway email account, then their emails typically bounce back.
The bad news is that many potential spammers or email marketers can typically tell if you’re using a throwaway email. Especially if the domain name is not established. The good news is that they can’t trace this email back to you as it is temporary.
Benefits of Disposable Email
Safety and Security of Personal Data
When you use a disposable email, you can remain anonymous on the internet. If a questionable site asks you for an email address, you can give them a temporary one instead. This reduces the risk of data breach or hacking. If you’re dealing with a lot of sensitive information in your emails, it’s best to ensure your safety. In a way, think of it as your online burner phones.
Getting Rid of Spam
The most common use of disposable emails is to get rid of spam. When you enter your email address on any website, there’s no telling where it goes. Many email marketers can use this to spam your inbox with promotional material. While most of these spam emails are harmless at best, it can be annoying to find your inbox filled with random things. You end up asking yourself whether navigating through millions of spam emails is worth finding that one dinner invitation sent to you a few weeks ago.
The next time a site asks for your email, give them a temporary one. That way, you can continue using site services and not have a clogged inbox.
An Added Step to Cybersecurity
You can never be too safe on the internet. Phishing schemes and hidden malware are cybercrimes as old as the internet immemorial. Doing something small, like investing in burner emails, is a small yet crucial step. There are so many things you can prevent when you cover all of your bases. Whether it be protection from spam or hackers, you can use temporary emails and save yourself a headache.
Increasing Internet Safety: Best Practices
Even with burner emails at your disposal, you can still be at risk. Aside from setting up a disposable email account, there are other cybersecurity best practices you can follow. Follow these tips to ensure your safety on the internet. Always remember that you have the right to data privacy and safe web browsing.
Use a VPN
Using a VPN is the best way to protect your network. If you know how to set up a VPN, you can hide your network and prevent cyber threats. It acts as a cloaking device for your IP address when it sends requests to DNS servers. That way, you can safely navigate through the sites you visit.
Most VPNs don’t come cheap, but it’s well worth its weight in gold. It’s a common misconception that going on Incognito can keep you anonymous. But nothing short of downloading a completely encrypted browser can do so. When you use a VPN, you have total privacy, whether you’re browsing sites or using public WiFi. We recommend using NordVPN for maximum protection.
Update Your Device Operating System
Always make sure that your device and its antivirus software are up to date. With new types of malware always on the rise, there is no telling what can infect your device. It’s important to keep your virus definitions updated so you are ready for anything. This is also a great way to beef up your device’s vulnerable spots at any time.
Encrypt Your Data
Saying “prevention is better than cure” may seem cliche, but it’s true in this case. Take precautionary measures and encrypt your data so it doesn’t get stolen. When using social media sites, be sure to enable two-factor authentication. Make sure to use strong passwords, and don’t use the same on all accounts. Tools like password managers can help you generate and keep track of all your passwords so it’s in one place.
No devices are completely secure, and we need to take extra steps to ensure that our data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Back up Your Files
Ransomware is a very pressing cyberthreat. Hackers can obtain any of your data and ask for compensation in exchange. To prevent losing important information, you can back up your files on encrypted hard drives or cloud storage providers. While this may not be as common an occurrence as it was years ago, it’s still best to remain vigilant.
Know Your Rights to Privacy
When faced with threats to your data privacy, it’s important to know your rights. While there are no federal laws instituted in the US, several states have cybersecurity laws in place to protect netizens. Be sure to read up on your state laws so that you can defend yourself at any time.
