Figure 5-5Create Safe E-Mail Aliases
Your choice of an e-mail alias can provide as little or as much informa-
tion about you as you choose to share. An e-mail alias like Jack
[email protected] your full name. This may be
exactly what you want, or you may not want to give away any personal
information. Just remember that whatever information you provide in
your e-mail address, many kinds of criminals — whether their intent is
to cause financial, emotional, or physical harm — can see it, in addi-
tion to those you trust.Consider the exposure in this e-mail aliases: SusieDoe_64_small_
[email protected] enough for someone to find Susie —
her name, age, and small town in Australia. And flirtatious names
like sexyOver50may cause unwanted attention and expose you to
greater risk.If you want the safest personal e-mail alias or nickname (versus your
work e-mail, over which you may have little control), don’t provide
identifiable information, such as:➟ Names:First, middle, or last names. Be sure to read
the next section to change settings if your e-mail
provider displays your full name next to your alias by
default, or avoiding the use of your name won’t do
you any good.
97Chapter 5: Risk-Free E-Mail