This Firefox feature lets users sign up to various one-off online services without exposing their email to spam, by creating a throwaway address. — Mozilla Foundation
Most online services won't let you get access to what they're offering without you giving them at least one thing in exchange: your email address.
Then again, not everyone wants the inevitable spam that comes with signing up for that once-off hotel booking or WiFi login.
Firefox says its new tool that helps you avoid handing over your online identity whenever you need to log in somewhere.
The Mozilla Foundation behind the browser has developed a service to help its users camouflage their identities. It's called Firefox Relay and has just gone from the beta phase into regular operation.
If you add the extension to Firefox, Relay can generate so-called alias email addresses that can be used instead of your real email address.
Messages to the alias addresses are then automatically forwarded to your real inbox.
In practice, having one master email and several throwaway email addresses means you don't need to worry about spam or login confirmation emails for online shopping and social networks, for example.
Here's how it works: After adding the extension, a purple hexagon symbol will start to automatically show up in the input field where a website wants you to type in your email address.
Clicking on this generates a new, random address ending in "@relay.mozmail.com". On the relay.firefox.com page, you can manage your alias addresses and also regenerate them on mobile devices, if necessary.
If you notice that spam or other unwanted messages showing up in your mail email account, you can just block them or delete that particular alias.
The service, including the extension and up to five alias addresses, is free of charge. There's also a premium version for €1 (RM4.79) per month, which offers an unlimited number of alias addresses and a separate e-mail domain, as well as the option to reply to forwarded emails. – dpa
