What kind of name in my email address?

Discussion in 'privacy problems' started by Stifflersmom, Jan 3, 2013.

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  1. Stifflersmom

    Stifflersmom Registered Member

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    I want to create an anonymous email address with a service that respects privacy. Since this address will be to help preserve anonymity, I can't think of what kind of name to request for the address.

    For example, <insert name here>@privateemail.com. Do you guys just use random letters so that a word cannot be tied back to you, such as: asidnduduf@privateemail.com or do you use something general like futbolfan98@privateemail.com.

    Any strategies for selecting an email name while trying to preserve anonymity (and not selecting something childish such as sexyguy@privateemail.com).
     
  2. Taliscicero

    Taliscicero Registered Member

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    10 minute mail.
     
  3. Stifflersmom

    Stifflersmom Registered Member

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    Thanks but I'm not looking for a provider. I have already chosen the provider. I'm looking for suggestions on naming conventions for the email address (the first part of the email before the @ sign).
     
  4. Taliscicero

    Taliscicero Registered Member

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    It does not matter, just don't make it anything to do with your and your name. Fikotorru@ or anything that's not a word.
     
  5. mirimir

    mirimir Registered Member

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    I use pseudonyms like "John Smith <jsmith@foo.bar>", with "John Smith" being some historical person. If you eventually need to use gift cards, Liberty Reserve or whatever, you'll need a plausibly real name. Although I don't use names as common as "John Smith", I do use ones that are common enough that I'm not impersonating someone.
     
  6. PJC

    PJC Very Frequent Poster

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    Last edited: Jan 5, 2013
  7. emmpe

    emmpe Registered Member

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    Yes, PJC's suggestion is excellent, very handy, been using it myself. But if you want something more permanent and plausible, in my experience you'll get away with anything that can be comfortably pronounced in Indo-Germanic languages. Personally I'm quite fond of short verbs from my own language for family names as they look kinda Central European. On the other hand it's hilarious to get a serious, businesslike reply mail starting "Dear mr von Pimmelfresser".
     
  8. 0strodamus

    0strodamus Registered Member

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    Based on your username here, I think you'll come up with something good to use. ;)
     
  9. PJC

    PJC Very Frequent Poster

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    So, what do you propose?
     
  10. emmpe

    emmpe Registered Member

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    Well, like I said, what can be pronounced in Indo-Germanic or even Indo-European languages is reasonably easy to dream up and looks good if you need a fake name that will nevertheless be accepted anywhere. It may be wise to make your first name a real one, as first names are generally common to a lot of cultures, whereas family names can be just about anything. Especially in the US, it seems, probably due to its history of immigration from everywhere. Mind you, I'm just drawing on my own experience here, I don't know if this really addresses the special needs of the OP.
     
  11. popcorn

    popcorn Registered Member

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  12. PJC

    PJC Very Frequent Poster

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  13. popcorn

    popcorn Registered Member

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    Couldn't resist it ;)
     
  14. CasperFace

    CasperFace Registered Member

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    Random gibberish is fine if it's just a throwaway account, but if you plan on using the account regularly then it should at least be semi-legitimate looking. Just make up some random name and (optionally) tack on some numbers at the end, for example: "CharlesHarper66".

    Some common pitfalls to avoid in your anonymous username or password are things like using the names of sports teams--or any other words/phrases that may be specific to a single town/country/region in the world--unless you're purposely trying to portray yourself as being from that location.

    If all else fails, you could always try this Fake Name Generator. ;)
     
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