Email Address: What It Is and How to Create One

An email address (also known as e-mail) is a string of characters that identifies your mailbox. It is used for receiving or sending emails.

Let's find out what an email address looks like. It contains the username, the @ symbol (pronounced “at”), and the domain name. Each address is unique, like a fingerprint.

Email mailbox is not just a means of communication; it's like a virtual inseparable friend. It helps us at work, in the world of online shopping, and in our everyday lives.

And, of course, there are different types of addresses: personal ones for individual purposes and corporate ones for business correspondence. A personal email is our individual space in the virtual world where we communicate, make purchases, and get news.

Choosing an Email Provider

Paid Email Providers

When it comes to paid email providers, the big perk is the ability to have your own unique domain.

A domain is that part of your email address that comes after the @ symbol. So, no more generic @gmail.com; instead, you can have something like janedoe@mycompany.com, with mycompany.com being your personal domain.

Paid email services remove ads and bring in a top-notch level of security.

While some services might not come with a mobile app, developers usually provide a user-friendly mobile version. Checking your email on the go is a breeze through your phone's browser.

Here are some options:

1and1.com

This service will cost you $12 per year (first-year pricing, then it jumps to $24). You'll get two gigabytes of storage and the ability to set up four extra addresses.

Fastmail

The most affordable option is $30 per year. By using cloud storage, you can easily create your website and secure it with a password to send files to your colleagues. Additionally, you have the opportunity to try out this email service for free for 60 days.

Runbox

With fast support, an efficient spam filter, a two-month free trial, and two gigabytes of free space, the annual subscription will cost $19.95.

Free Email Providers

Free email services also offer user support, cloud storage, and spam filters. However, it's worth considering some drawbacks, such as advertisements and limited features.

Available Free Email Providers

Gmail

This service is perfect for those who use other Google services. It effectively filters spam and allows you to schedule email sending. You get 15 gigabytes of storage and the ability to sync your email with the smartphone app.

Yahoo

This provider offers one terabyte of free storage. Yahoo also provides the option to import contacts from Google.

Outlook

Microsoft Outlook seamlessly integrates with various Microsoft products, offering a smooth experience. You can use 5 GB of free cloud storage. However, its drawback is the occasional misclassification of legitimate emails as spam.

How to create an email address on your computer or smartphone

Computer

Email registration on all services is almost the same. As an example, let's look at how to create an email on Yahoo.

• Visit the creation page.
• Enter your name, your email address, your date of birth, and then create your secure password.
• Click Continue and finish creating your account by following the prompts.

Smartphone

Now let's figure out how to create an email on your smartphone. To do this, you need to use an app. Here, we'll look at Gmail.

• Open the Gmail app on your phone.
• Click "Sign in" and then hit "Add account."
• You'll see a list of email providers. Pick "Google."
• Enter your email address. Create a secure password.
• Choose your profile picture and put in your name.
• Then, agree to the terms of service.

How to Create an Email Password

A password for your email is a crucial security element because if someone gains access, they could change passwords for all services linked to that email address. Therefore, make your password strong but try not to forget it.

Different clients have specific requirements, such as prohibiting the reuse of passwords, mandatory use of numbers, specials, and uppercase/lowercase letters.

IMPORTANT: Avoid using personal information in your password — for example, your birthday can be known from your social media accounts. Also, change your password frequently, at least once every three months.

How to Protect Your Email

Through Filters: Track and block suspicious addresses and keywords to get rid of unwanted emails. If a similar message repeats, it will go straight to spam.

Using Anonymous Mailboxes: Some email providers allow you to create anonymous mailboxes. Use them for subscriptions to keep your main mailbox safe and clean.

Through Two-Factor Protection: Link your phone number to the main email address. Attempts to log in from an unknown device will require an additional security code.

Beware of Phishing: Be cautious of phishing sites mimicking well-known resources. Check the sender's address — make sure it's the correct email address, and the company name is spelled correctly. Any differences from the original indicate phishing.

Make sure to check the sender’s address.

Dealing with a Compromised Email Account

If you're dealing with spam, password troubles, or suspicious emails in your inbox, your address might be compromised. Here's what you should do:

1. If you still have access to your email, change the password, refresh security questions, and make sure that two-factor authentication is still active.
2. Use antivirus software on your computer to remove any potential malware.
3. If you've lost access, get in touch with support and explain your situation.

How to Find Your Email Address and Reset the Password

In your email service's account settings, you can find your email address and reset your password. Usually, you can't directly view your password, but you can recover it. Provide an alternate email address or your phone number. They'll send a temporary password to your email or phone, granting access to your email account. Set a new password in the "Settings" section.

For corporate email accounts, the IT department usually provides employees with login details to access their existing email accounts.

What to Do If You Forget Your Email Password

If you've set up additional recovery options when creating your email: Check your backup account; you'll find a link there. Click on it to change your password.

If you connected a phone number to your account: Get a code on your phone. Enter it and create a new password.

If you used a security question: Just answer the question. If everything's correct, you can enter a new password.

If none of these options work: Reach out to customer support.

Conclusion

Your email address is like your personal ID for getting messages. It has a special username, the @ symbol, and the domain that goes with it. Your email can be personal or for work, and if it's for work, the company is part of the domain.

When you're setting up your email, make sure your username is unique and your password is strong. For better security, go for a password with at least 8 characters, mixing in numbers and specials.

Keep your email address private and watch out for unauthorized access. It's a good idea to change your password regularly, like every three months, to be extra safe. Also, be careful not to click on strange links and avoid sharing sensitive info to keep your email safe and sound.