They work by giving you a random email address that is available for a short time (ex. 10min) and an inbox for any messages you recieve during that time (ex. an email verification message from a Lemmy server)
I didn’t want to recommend a specific one, however Googling “temporary email” should give you several options to choose from.
Just don’t ever forget your password to said Lemmy instance because you won’t be able to reset it.
Also be aware that sometimes the decision to reset the password is not done on your side. Sometimes due to attacks or similar website owners might decide a forced reset and that might require the email.
I had a scare when i went to setup 2fa, I guess i only copied the last digits of the link thinking all I needed were the numbers and then I couldnt sign in, luckily I still had an open tab with my account signed in and was able to redo the 2fa before being completely signed out, with no email on the account I would have had to start over
Are there really people out there not using a password manager in current year?
Yes, my dad, I created an account for him on my Vaultwarden instance, and hardly doubt he gets to use it.
You would be surprised.  I work at a IT helpdesk at a university and I think 90% of all students don’t know what password manager is. Many have them “stored” in the notes in the smartphone.
Many people don’t like putting their eggs in one basket. Which I get. But imo as long as you’re properly securing everything as well as you can, most decent passwords managers are trustworthy enough.
I’m personally deeply skeptical, even if it’s from one of the most secure companies I would have a heart attack if I hear it’s hacked.
I personally just use pen and paper, two copies, and try to do variations or new passwords for things I care about and then one common password for useless things with no credit card info.
KeepassXC is encrypted locally with no public servers :)
When I first set up my password DB I forgot my master password. Fortunately that didn’t happen on my second. I still have the locked first db.
Oh wow, thanks for letting us know. 😩
There are also more permanent alias services including Firefox Relay, SimpleLogin, AnonAddy, and DuckDuckGo. You can turn off each alias that you no longer need afterward.
+1 for duckduckgo, it removes all the built in trackers too and is built into their android app. I really like it.
it’s built into the iOS app as well! i got a really nice main address, just flat.
apple offers one as well if you’re on safari
I’ve read about the Apple service for this, but i don’t have an iCloud account.
I have used that service many times
please don’t use a temp email (or non existent) for anything you might care about. also, make sure you never typo your email address.
example:
- someone uses a typo or fake email to create an account with some service.
- that service is later hacked and all emails found out
- hacker creates the email for real
- hacker just got your account
I’ve also seen people use temporary emails, forget the password or just need some sort of comms and then lose their account forever to the dustbin of time. These things happen.
https://simplelogin.io/ - they’re now owned by Protonmail, I think, and the service is still great. I have hundreds of alias e-mails with them on a custom domain and they’re as permanent as you want them to be. You can also use their domains to be more anonymous if you want.
YSalsoK that many sites block these email addresses when trying to sign up. especially the bigger providers of such services.
I prefer Apple Relay through my iPhone, it creates an alias that gets redirected to my inbox. if I see it gets spammed, I can in any moment delete that address. and bonus, they will never have my email account, so they can’t trace me, if there’s a leak the leakers won’t know my email, usernames etc.
Are you referring to Hide My Email, or using your own domain on Apple’s mail forwarding servers?
yes, hide my email thank you. it’s all part of the apple relay service so I used the general name!
Cheers!
For those on iOS or macOS there is « hide my email » which is very well integrated. Otherwise simple login has great extension and can be self hosted.
Anybody got suggestions for a temp (or not) virtual phone number? Like Google Voice but give you the ability to have more than one, and delete it?
MySudo
The new Proton Pass also has this feature, as does iCloud+.
Proton Mail has aliases that you can generate and then disable until you need it again. They are also integrated with simple login but I haven’t tried that out yet. I pay for unlimited so I have enough aliases (for now). I’ve even started creating ones specifically for my utilities like power, water, electricity, cable, etc.
I’ve just noticed Fastmail has a similar feature too
For me it didn’t need email to sign up, most likely wouldn’t have if it did. In any case a temp email defeats the purpose of a recovery email.
Also bugmenot.com is pretty handy sometimes.
Sadly, a lot of websites are blocking temporary email domains :(
I used jetable.org for years but now it’s fairly commonly blocked in email forms.
Yep, super convenient. I now use Fastmail where this is built in, but nevertheless, very handy.
Same here, signed up a couple of months ago and have made good use of it when trying out services.
I used https://temp-mail.org/ on Reddit quite a bit. Quick & no registration needed. Just keep in mind that you cannot restore your account that way.
but reddit doesnt require an email? I never used an email for all my accounts Id create a new account every few months
It does now last I checked, but didn’t use to.
Hello there, and welcome to our community! I hope you like it in here.
Could you please include some body text as to why should people know this, and how would that help them? It’s our second rule. Thank you :)
Another option: Gmail supports the “+” operator. If your email address is: Alice@gmail.com
You can use an email like Alice+eBay@gmail.com
To sign up for eBay. Now you can filter all of the garbage sent to that address easily! Bonus, you get to see who’s selling your data which is always frustrating and entertaining.
