Yes, the structure you mentioned is very helpful. I used to follow
@Parkinsond advice: creating accounts with disposable emails whenever needed and saving them in my browser’s password manager. If I lost access (e.g., switching browsers), it wasn’t an issue since I could just create a new account; my main accounts are safely stored in a dedicated password manager. However, I’ve found that some of these 'disposable' accounts become useful long-term, and I want to keep them organized without losing control. Creating a unique alias for every service feels like a hassle, but your approach keeps everything organized and manageable simultaneously.
That is my issue with these disposable alias services. It's hard to keep track which disposable alias belongs to which website. I find my method much better and easier to follow. Also, Outlook.com and Gmail support plus addressing. I'm not using it though because some websites don't support + symbol in e-mail address field.
Even if someone breaches into one of my online accounts, they are limited to that one online account. Other accounts and e-mail inbox stay secure because no one knows
Flying.Trampoline.5310@outlook.com is my sign-in alias except me.
That’s another great example! Out of curiosity, why do you and
@Marko prefer Outlook > Gmail > Proton? Isn’t Proton Mail more private? Does it have security flaws or usability issues compared to its competitors?
Tagged the wrong user. Gosh
@Marko will have A LOT of notifications if he ever comes back here.
Jokes on the side, there are many reasons why I prefer Outlook.com as my personal mail service. First reason is it was the only one that had my
firstname.lastname format available for registration. I was too young and by the time I got internet access at home, same format of e-mail address on Gmail was already taken by someone else. I knew sooner or later I'll need a serious looking address in the future and
firstnamelastname791292847189@gmail.com simply wouldn't do it. I mean I wouldn't hire myself if I sent a job application and CV from this e-mail address. It literally looks like spam e-mail.
Microsoft transitioned from Hotmail.com to Outlook.com in perfect time and I was able to snatch
firstname.lastname@outlook.com as well as some other connected usernames. I used (now my primary) e-mail for registering everywhere when I was young as I didn't really think about clean inbox, but fortunately GDPR came in force and all companies I registered to started sending out mails asking for permissions to continue using this mail as a contact. That gave me perfect opportunity to delete all these accounts I wasn't using as I forgot where did I use this address for registration.
When life gives you lemons, you squeeze them and make a lemonade.
As years went, Outlook.com started to mature as a service and added more features than competitors, including Gmail. While Gmail offered limited number of aliases, I could create huge amount of them on Outlook.com. Because I was the early user, I got to keep 30 GB of storage which is double of what Google offers. I'm not sure if Google offers it now, but Outlook.com was the first one that let you change default alias and decide which one you want to use for signing in which massively contributes to your account security. Today, pretty much every popular corporation uses Microsoft 365 hence Outlook.com for mailing and that means Microsoft needed to step up in security from which we also benefit. If Gmail added additional domains, I'd for sure snatch a mail with my first and last name, but I wouldn't make it my primary still as Outlook.com offers more benefits.
Now... regarding Proton Mail. It is more private and secure... on paper. Encryption they brag about only works if you're messaging another Proton Mail user. If you e-mail anyone else, mails are sent unencrypted. There is an option to send encrypted mail, but it all falls down to link being sent in message which recepient needs to open in order to see the mail—totally unpractical. Most people will think it's some kind of scam and delete mail. If you compare user number of Outlook.com, Gmail and Proton Mail, Proton has really tiny amount of users. None of my acquaintances use Proton Mail, heck, none of them probably never heard for it. Beside, pretty much every single Proton Mail basic feature was removed from free plan and pushed into premium plans. And I'm not using e-mail that much it would be worth to pay for service. This is why I'm not a huge fan of their services in the first place.
Sorry for the essay.
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