Many experienced computer users have multiple email addresses, including one or more public email addresses. They choose which address to use based on who they are communicating with at the time. At first glance, this approach can appear confusing and a waste of effort, but it can have some significant advantages.
Definition
The email address you use when you want to communicate with a person or organization that isn't part of your inner circle is called a public email address. It fits into the middle level of a three-part email security system consisting of a private email address, one or more public email addresses, and one or more junk (also called throwaway) email addresses.
Uses
Use a public email address when you need to give an address to someone you just met. Or use it when you want to sign up for an email newsletter or mailing list that requires a valid email address. It protects your private email address by handling all but your most important communications.
Importance
The prevalence of junk email and scam artists on the Internet makes using a public email address important. If someone dishonest discovers your public email address, they can use it to send you junk mail, or try to exploit it in some sort of identity theft scheme. In short, your public email address protects your private email address by letting you severely limit access to that address, while still interacting with others online.
Sources
You can create a public email address using two different resources. Some people set up a secondary email account with the same service that hosts their private email address. Others use an account on one of the free Web-based email services as their public email address.
Drawbacks
While using a public address provides you with additional security, it does have some drawbacks. You need to create a new email account to serve as the public email address. You also need to remember to check this account, or configure your email program to work with the account.
Finally, if you use one of the free Web-based services to create your public email address, you need to consider your image. Email sent from one of these services is often perceived as being less professional than messages coming from other sources.
Definition
The email address you use when you want to communicate with a person or organization that isn't part of your inner circle is called a public email address. It fits into the middle level of a three-part email security system consisting of a private email address, one or more public email addresses, and one or more junk (also called throwaway) email addresses.
Uses
Use a public email address when you need to give an address to someone you just met. Or use it when you want to sign up for an email newsletter or mailing list that requires a valid email address. It protects your private email address by handling all but your most important communications.
Importance
The prevalence of junk email and scam artists on the Internet makes using a public email address important. If someone dishonest discovers your public email address, they can use it to send you junk mail, or try to exploit it in some sort of identity theft scheme. In short, your public email address protects your private email address by letting you severely limit access to that address, while still interacting with others online.
Sources
You can create a public email address using two different resources. Some people set up a secondary email account with the same service that hosts their private email address. Others use an account on one of the free Web-based email services as their public email address.
Drawbacks
While using a public address provides you with additional security, it does have some drawbacks. You need to create a new email account to serve as the public email address. You also need to remember to check this account, or configure your email program to work with the account.
Finally, if you use one of the free Web-based services to create your public email address, you need to consider your image. Email sent from one of these services is often perceived as being less professional than messages coming from other sources.