How many email addresses do I need realistically for better security and privacy?

Let me share my personal journey with email security—I’ve been down the "10-minute email" rabbit hole too. Spoiler: it’s messy. You’re probably here because you’ve heard the golden rule: never use the same email for everything. But how many do you actually need? And what’s the best way to manage them without losing your mind? Let’s break it down.

The "Why" Behind Multiple Emails

Think of emails like keys. You wouldn’t use your house key for your gym locker, right? Same logic applies here:

• Privacy: Use one for sensitive stuff (banking, docs).
• Spam defense: Separate throwaway addresses for newsletters or sketchy sign-ups.
• Tracking: Some emails sell your data to advertisers. Keep those in a burner account.

How Many Emails Do You Need?

Short answer: At least 3, but probably more. Here’s my breakdown:

1. Primary email: Your "real" address (e.g., [e-mail]). Use this for family, work, and anything you need to receive.
2. Sensitive email: A secure, encrypted service like ProtonMail for banking, legal docs, or healthcare.
3. Shopping/social: Create a separate Gmail or Outlook account for Amazon, Facebook, or that sketchy website offering 50% off "discount designer socks."
4. Throwaways: Yep, even temporary emails have a place! Use them for one-off sign-ups (e.g., free trials you’ll forget to cancel).

ProtonMail vs. Gmail: What’s the Deal?

• ProtonMail: Swiss privacy laws, end-to-end encryption, zero ads. Great for sensitive stuff but less user-friendly for daily chaos.
• Gmail: Free, seamless integration with Google’s ecosystem, decent spam filters. Not bulletproof for privacy, but perfect for your "everyday" chaos. My take: Use both! Proton for secrets, Gmail for everything else. Wait—there’s a smarter way to manage all this. Instead of juggling 10+ accounts, get a domain email (e.g., [e-mail]). Here’s why I’m obsessed:
• Unlimited aliases: Create throwaway emails like "[e-mail]" or "[e-mail]." No more temporary email sites!
• Centralized control: Forward all alias emails to your main inbox. No more logging into 5 accounts.
• Professional vibe: Look legit with a custom domain. I’ve tried a few services, and the one I’ve stuck with is GetMX. It’s dead simple to set up, rock-solid for receiving emails (no missed newsletters!), and way cheaper than paying for multiple ProtonMail accounts. Plus, one domain = infinite emails. Game. Changer.

Final Checklist

1. Start small: 3-4 emails max to avoid overwhelm.
2. Automate: Forward burner emails to your main inbox.
3. Audit regularly: Delete old accounts you don’t use. Your email hygiene doesn’t have to be complicated.