The risk of using an unguarded identity
Doing things on the internet could actually be a risky affair. Malicious persons are interested in your personal information and will stop at nothing to obtain it for their own gain. The very least you should expect is a deluge of spam and phishing messages if you use an unprotected identity online and someone inadvertently gets your email address, for example. And it doesn’t necessarily end there.
Suppose you are attempting to obtain a coupon code and the website requesting the code requests your email address. Next, you utilize the coupon code to make a purchase from an online store, which also necessitates the use of an email address.
Perhaps the website is one you haven’t used before, has a dubious reputation, or has an unsettlingly unclear data protection policy. How sure are you in these cases that your email address will not be sold to a data broker who will add it to hundreds of marketing subscription lists, rather than it being stored safely and utilized appropriately?
You are undoubtedly aware of the frustrating manner in which buying things online often results in an overwhelming amount of spam, even when you take care to check every box that says, “please don’t send me marketing messages.”
Things could even get worse. You could begin receiving phishing emails if your email address falls into the wrong hands. These are relatively simple to identify, but if you make a mistake on one, you run the risk of identity theft, financial loss, a damaged credit score, the disclosure of embarrassing personal information, and more. And that’s even before discussing the terrifying risks posed by online stalkers.
Certain situations are foreseeable, such as when a purchase is made from a clearly dubious website. However, even trustworthy websites might make mistakes from time to time or lose your data in the event of a breach. Furthermore, if your identity isn’t safeguarded, a number of additional exchanges that appear harmless might turn problematic. You can stay informed and entertained by subscribing to an email newsletter, but you never know what else you can end up being signed up for. Are you confident that the person you’re contacting is who they say they are and can be trusted with your data when you apply for jobs, compete, date, or engage in social activities?
You run the risk of having your contact information stolen and used for illegal activities every time you send an email or provide it to someone.
The benefits of having different identities
It makes sense to utilize a secondary identity in many online transactions, especially when interacting with contacts and businesses you haven’t yet developed a trusting connection with. This secondary identity is based on a backup email account that you don’t typically use but can access in an emergency. When a business requests that we offer an email address, many of us have second or third accounts that we often use. When the spam starts to arrive, we don’t find it bothersome. In fact, having a long list of addresses will enable you to track down the origins of the spam and hold them responsible.
This method’s drawback is that it can occasionally be laborious and inconvenient. It can be challenging to remember the login credentials for several accounts, and it raises security concerns when the same information is repeated or stored in an unsecured place. If you hack into one account, you could discover that all of them are frozen.
What then is the remedy?
There are several options you could choose.
Burner email.
A technique designed especially to deal with this problem. You submit the service’s created email address when making a purchase on a website or entering a competition, and it disappears after a certain amount of time. However, these services are usually restricted to email addresses and lack an explicit privacy policy. This isn’t the right option for you if you require a long-term remedy or a complete online identity.
Opening a second, disposable email account.
To keep things easy, why not make a second email address for times when you’re not sure if the person you’re interacting with can be trusted. Many of us have been using this technique for years to avoid the worst of the spammers, but it’s not very handy because you have to set up various passwords and inboxes, which can take some time. Not to mention that you’re escaping one privacy concern by surrendering to another, as the email provider you’re signing up with is probably still gathering your data.
Fake name generator.
These services might be useful if you’re not comfortable giving out your true identity, but keep in mind that they frequently have dubious privacy practices. If the service is free, it’s probably funded by data collecting or intrusive advertisements; if not, that’s an additional cost for a very small benefit.
The nuclear option: inventing a completely false identity for oneself.
You may fabricate a false name, postal address, and all other components of an identity for yourself, which you can then use in communications with persons who might be questionable.
The issue is that, in addition to taking a lot of time, this is quite hard. For instance, it might be tough to pass US address validation, and most websites are aware of this and will be configured to reject obvious or popular default names. Aside from everything else, coming up with catchy local names is quite difficult!
The Benefit of Surfshark Alternative ID
Alright, so each of those four approaches has drawbacks and restrictions. However, Surfshark’s Alternative ID offers a fifth alternative that we believe is a better fit for the majority of Macworld readers.
Designed to assist safeguard your security and privacy, Alternative ID creates a new online identity for you without requiring any of the trouble associated with the previously mentioned methods. All you have to do is provide Surfshark with any important information you want applied to the identity, and the business will take care of the rest. Your true identity will be hidden, and you’ll be given access to a whole online persona that includes an email address that you can use to register for codes websites and make purchases.
There isn’t any of the laborious organization that comes with managing several email accounts. Emails sent to the new address will be securely sent to your actual inbox, allowing you to view any important information or click on verification links. If spam starts to overwhelm your inbox, it’s simple to move these emails to a different folder. Additionally, the identity is valid for as long as you require it, unlike burner emails. This tool, together with a VPN and ad blocker, may be accessed through the company’s browser extension.
It is the most effective and secure method of preventing brokers, spammers, and fraudsters from accessing your data.
www.surfshark.com
