Why You Should Use a Separate Email for Gaming

Ever feel like your inbox is overwhelmed by notifications, marketing and spam? It could be time to set up a separate email address for your gaming accounts. And – as it’s becoming increasingly common to hear of companies experiencing security breaches – it affords you an extra layer of security, too.

Should I Have a Separate Email for Gaming?

It’s a smart move to set up a separate email account for gaming. You can use this for platform registrations, forum activity and any newsletters or offers you choose to sign up for. Not only does this keep your main inbox clear and uncluttered, it also reduces any risk to your primary email account. Why? Well, if any phishing emails or account hacks get the better of you, the only information they’ll have access to is your gaming email – your main address will still be secure. This will also be the case if any gaming platform you use experiences a data breach.

Want another layer of security? You can also reduce the information you share with gaming sites by choosing to pay using prepaid gift cards from MobileTopUp.

Do I Need Two Email Addresses?

At least – but why stop there? It’s actually sensible to keep other parts of your life separate too. Forbes recommends using at least four – one for sensitive financial information like online banking, one for work, one for personal correspondence with friends and family, and one for shopping and other marketing emails – or, in this case, gaming.

Is Gmail a Good Email Service for Gamers?

Gmail can be a great choice for your gaming email account – it’s widely used and has strong security features. But there are some privacy considerations to be aware of, too.

Pros of Gmail for Gamers:

• It’s ubiquitous – Gmail is a commonly used email service, so it’s likely to be compatible with most platforms and websites.
• Strong security – it has a robust spam filter, two-factor authentication, and other solid security measures.
• It’s free – the free option gives you 15GB of storage (shared across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos).
• Integrates well – other services like Google Drive and Google Calendar work well with it, so it’s easy to co-ordinate play times with other users or manage any related documents.

Cons of Gmail for Gamers:

• Privacy – Gmail scans your emails for targeted advertising.
• Limited control – Google's data collection practices mean you have less control over how your information is used compared to some other email providers.

Is It Illegal to Have Multiple Email Accounts?

Absolutely not. But there are some instances where having multiple accounts might raise red flags. Multiple email accounts can be used for malicious activities. These include creating fake accounts to spread misinformation or evade bans, or to circumvent limits or restrictions.

Additionally, always review the terms of service of your email provider, as some may have limitations on the number of accounts you can create or how you can use them.

Should I Have Two Gmail Accounts?

You can have multiple Gmail accounts – these can help organise your life, keeping work and play separate. It can also reduce the amount of junk email you deal in your main inbox, and can prioritise both privacy and professionalism – your work email can have your name or business while your gaming email can be your alias, helping to protect your privacy online.

Should I Make a Separate Professional Email?

Yes, it’s important not to have your gamertag on your CV (or in any professional correspondence). It also means you can create a clean, clutter-free inbox which makes it easier to do your job:

1. Organise your inbox by using folders and labels to categorise your emails. This helps you prioritise and find information when you need it later
2. Unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters that aren’t useful. Tools like Unroll.me help you easily unsubscribe from multiple subscriptions in one go
3. Flag important emails or label ones you need to reply to
4. Use rules which can automatically send emails into the right folder, so your main inbox stays clear
5. Regularly delete emails you no longer need to free up storage space

If you still struggle to keep your inbox organised, set aside time to spend on it. Block out some daily time in your calendar to manage your inbox.

What Is the Best Email Service for Personal Use?

url=https://mail.google.com/mail/]Gmail[/url]
Pros
15GB free storage shared across Google services
Excellent spam filtering and search
Easy integration with Google Drive, Calendar, Docs, etc.

Cons
Google scans some data for personalisation

Outlook
Pros
15GB of free storage
Easy integration with Word, Excel, Teams etc.
Good spam and phishing protection

Cons
Ads in free version

ProtonMail
Pros
End-to-end encryption by default
Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws
No ads

Cons
1GB free storage
Some features (like custom domains) require a paid plan

Yahoo Mail
Pros
1TB of free storage
Easy-to-use interface
Good spam filtering

Cons
Privacy could be a concern (historically the platform has been less secure than others)
Ads in free version

iCloud Mail
Pros
Seamless integration with macOS, iOS, iCloud
No ads
5GB of free iCloud storage

Cons
Lacks advanced email features
Limited if you’re not an Apple user

Should You Use Your Email as a Username?

While using your email as a public username seems straightforward – it’s easy to remember after all – it can be risky. If your email is leaked in a data breach, hackers get easy access to half of your login credentials, which makes it easier for them to access your accounts. It means they can now send you phishing emails, too.

Where you can, go for a username that doesn’t relate to your name or email address, especially for higher-risk or security sites like online banking. Where you have to use an email, use a different address to your main inbox, or mask your email by signing in with another service (think Apple, Firefox Relay, or SimpleLogin). Additionally, when making a purchase online you can choose options where you don’t have to share payment details – like prepaid gift cards from MobileTopUp, which offer a secure and simple way to pay.

What Are Some Cool Email Names?

The key to creating a future-proof email name is to keep it readable and easy to spell out to someone, avoid any slang or pop culture references that will age, and to avoid using numbers like your birth year or the current year. Keep in mind what you’ll be using the email address for, too – work or play.

If using your name, place a dot in the middle or your first name and surname to easily distinguish them. If your name is taken, you could try initials, or adding on a word that denotes the use of the email, like ‘inbox’, ‘business’, or ‘correspondence’. For more privacy, simply use your first name, and add on an adjective or interest that relates to you, something that you’re known for in your friend circle, or a play-on-words – this could be anything from a hobby like swimming to an inside joke like always being late.

Is It OK to Have One Email for Everything?

While using a sole inbox for all your email correspondence may seem like the simplest way, the fact is that our online usage is only growing, and the volume of emails we receive grows with it. Using one email address can not only get chaotic, it opens you up to bigger risks of phishing, scams and data breaches, too. With online privacy becoming a bigger issue, it’s a secure, simple way to give yourself an extra layer of protection.

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