In today's digital age, entering your real email address into a website is a risky move. It's all too common for websites to sell your information to data brokers, who then use it for marketing, targeted ads, or even reselling. To safeguard your privacy and security, masking your email address has become a crucial practice.
Email masking is essential not just for avoiding spam but also for protecting your personal information from falling into the wrong hands. If your email address is leaked in a data breach, it could end up on the dark web, accessible to scammers and cybercriminals. These malicious actors store your data in databases for use in scams and hacking attempts. Additionally, there have been instances where government bodies have purchased data broker information for surveillance purposes.
By using masked emails when signing up for services and accounts, you can prevent your details from being leaked. A masked email can be discarded with a single click, rendering it useless to scammers. This proactive measure significantly reduces your risk of being targeted by cyber threats.
Easy Solutions for Email Masking
For those looking to enhance their privacy effortlessly, two services stand out: NordVPN and Surfshark. These VPN providers offer more than just secure internet connections; they also provide simple and effective email masking solutions.
NordVPN integrates email masking with its built-in password manager, NordPass. This service is user-friendly, offering fast speeds and excellent content unblocking capabilities. Priced at $3.39 per month for a two-year plan, NordVPN delivers great value and a range of privacy tools. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it risk-free.
Surfshark is another excellent choice, especially for those on a budget. It not only masks your email but also offers phone number masking for users in the US, with plans to expand this feature to other regions. Known for its speed and effectiveness in streaming, Surfshark provides a high-quality VPN service with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This allows you to test the service before committing.
Using a VPN like NordVPN or Surfshark offers several other benefits. These services protect your devices from hackers, enable you to stream content from abroad, and block ads and malware. The comprehensive protection offered by VPNs makes them a valuable tool for maintaining online privacy and security.
Taking Privacy Further with Incogni
For those looking to take their privacy a step further, Incogni is a useful tool. It actively removes your information from data brokers, reducing the chances of being targeted by aggressive marketing and advertisers. Bundling Incogni with a Surfshark subscription can be a cost-effective way to enhance your privacy defences.
Keeping your email address private is a simple yet powerful way to protect yourself from unwanted spam and cyber threats. By utilising services like NordVPN and Surfshark for email masking, and tools like Incogni for data removal, you can enjoy a more secure and private online experience.