Should I start using Tormail from now on?

I am sick and tired of hotmail and gmail requiring cellphone verifications (which i haven't figured out how to get around). Therefore the only way of anonymously signing up to various sites would be to use Tormail. I will eventually figure out how to get around cellphone verification, but for now Tormail is my only option.

Is tormail safe? Do I need to use pgp encryption for messages I send over Tormail?

 

For all we know, the NSA is running Tormail

So yes, encrypting your messages is prudent.

Also, don't assume that metadata (such as recipient and subject) is private.

 

Again on this....I set up several gmail accounts without any phone verification, I simply skipped that.
I think you should try accessing the set-up page via VPN from a server in EU and then not select USA but another country (however in my case I left USA and I was not asked for the phone).

 

Try riseup.net
You have to apply for an account, but it's worth it.

 

I second that! Riseup.net is probably the best service available. Just access your account with Tor, or which ever VPN service you trust the most. Tor can even be ran on top of a VPN that uses OpenVpn protocol. You can also run OpenVpn on top of Tor, but its more complicated.

 

Riseup is located in the US. Is that considered a good thing?

 

As long as you're using VPNs and/or Tor to access your account, and you and your correspondents are encrypting sensitive messages, I don't think that it matters very much.

 

try also autistici.org.
Same philosophy/values of riseup but not based in US.

 

So is riseup a relatively private/anonymous email service? Got a comprehensive list of anonymous email services?

 

Thanks for link dogbite.
They have also few interesting domains to choose.

 

Actually I prefer autistici.org than riseup because you get unlimited storage (within reason) and also their webmail interface it's better.
Moreover they support up to 5 aliases.

 

Apropos do you know how long valid is your account at autistici.org?
Is it lifetime mail service or you have to log in to keep your account?

 

6 months.

But if you forget to login and send them an email they can restore your account.

Usage/Non-usage of this service: Mailboxes which are left unused for over 180 days will be disabled. If you think you won't be using your account for more than 6 months but would like to keep it active anyway, write to us.

Source: https://www.autistici.org/en/who/policy.html


For further info you may post in their forum in English.

https://forum.autistici.org/index.php

 

Thanks DG!

 

I don't like Riseup.net for email. You must basically swear allegiance to their goals and objectives. Whether I share them - or not - is not the point. I think signing up with any email service tied to a controversial (deemed 'radical' by some) point-of-view, is the absolute worst thing to do. Why draw the attention? Again, it has nothing to do with Riseup's worldview and everything to do with a US-based service that already has a bullseye on their service by the government of their host country.

 

Lockbox, you make an interesting point. Who do you use (or recommend) for email service?

I wonder if autistici is any good. After all the talk about them in this thread, I think I'm going to give them a look. Looks like their servers are based in Italy?

 

According to this review:

http://www.thesimplecomputer.info/articles/email-for-privacy.html#autistici

mail servers are in the Netherlands.

 

Quote from their website:
"Our servers are legally managed by Associazione Investici, whose office is located in Via Fara 6, 20124, Milan (Italy). Any legal or other issues should be addressed to our e-mail contact: info at investici.org."
https://www.inventati.org/en/about.html

BTW. I have two more questions:

1. How much reliable (in the terms of uptime) are riseup.net and autistici.org?
2. How long they are on the market?

 

Server managed I think it's different than server location.

I do not have the answer to your questions.
You may ask them even in their forum maybe:

https://forum.autistici.org/viewforum.php?id=23

 

Chrome advises to steer away from these links... I'm sure they are okay but still a warning is a warning.

 

Creer,

here some information:

The A/I Collective (meaning autistici/inventati) was born in March 2001
https://www.autistici.org/en/who/collective.html

Servers are not located in Italy (or at least only there): from the following link (scroll down for English) a server was, for example, in Norway.

http://cavallette.noblogs.org/2010/11/7029

The simplest way to make an educated decision I believe is to write them your questions/concerns. Also from the quality of they reply, you can decide.

 

Here is a solution:
https://forum.autistici.org/viewtopic.php?id=8130

You have to install cert.
http://www.autistici.org/en/stuff/man_ca/index.html

 

Thanks,
indeed when I've checked server for sent email it showed Iceland and Norway.

 

Right, you have to install their own certificate.

See here :

https://forum.autistici.org/viewtopic.php?id=8130

 

If you're communicating sensitive information between only two or three people remember email is not your only option. You could use a cloud storage service with the two or three having credentials. If the information your passing back and forth is in an encrypted container, it's much safer than emailing the same.

.