This wikiHow teaches you how to send an anonymous email by linking the email to your email address or real name. The easiest way to do this is to use a free online messaging service like Guerrilla Mail or Anonymousemail. However, you can also create a “disposable” email account. If you need a more permanent solution that can encrypt your emails, without having to connect them to an existing email account, ProtonMail could be the solution. You can also take several steps to ensure that your workspace is completely anonymous, depending on your needs. This way, other apps or internet service providers can't track you through your phone.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Creating An Anonymous Workspace (Optional)
Step 1. Consider your security needs
This method includes several steps you can take to increase the level of anonymity on the network. If your risk isn't that great, you can skip these steps and simply use an anonymous email service. However, if you need to hide your IP address from being tracked, you can follow these steps to create an anonymous workspace. The more steps you follow, the tighter your security will be.
Step 2. Install the TOR browser on a fast drive (thumb/flash drive)
TOR is an anonymous internet browser that helps you pass internet connections through a series of network connections (known as nodes). This series of connections will hide your IP address. By default, TOR does not save your internet activity. This browser can be downloaded for free. For added security, install TOR on a flash drive so that there are no traces of installation on the computer. Follow these steps to download and install TOR on a fast drive.
- Attach the drive to the computer.
- Visit https://www.torproject.org/download/ via a web browser.
- Click the button " Download ” according to the computer operating system that will be used to send the e-mail.
- Open the Torbrowser installation file.
- Select a language and click “ Ok ”.
- Click " Browse ”.
- Select the USB fast drive and click “ Ok ”.
- Click " Install ”.
- Click " Finish ”.
Step 3. Use public WiFi
Internet service providers can track your online activity, as can various government agencies or institutions. To avoid being tracked by internet service providers, use a public WiFi connection, such as a network available at a coffee shop or public library.
Step 4. Use a VPN
A VPN (virtual private network) service directs internet traffic through an external proxy connection, hiding your IP address and preventing internet service providers from tracking you. However, the VPN party can track you. Make sure you subscribe to a VPN service that doesn't record or keep logs of your internet activity. To ensure absolute anonymity, make payments using a Visa gift card or crypto currency (eg Bitcoin).
Step 5. Use an anonymous operating system
If you use an operating system such as Windows 10, MacOS, Android, or iOS, your online activity may be tracked by other accounts you access or advertising companies. To avoid being tracked by third-party applications, you can use an anonymous operating system. Linux distributions like Tails are designed to be completely anonymous. Tails can be installed on a flash drive that can later be loaded on any computer. All your activity will be deleted after turning off your computer or leaving Tails.
Step 6. Set up a separate laptop for anonymous activity
If you really need to hide your personal identity, try buying or setting up a separate laptop that can be used for all anonymous activities. Buy the laptop with cash and install an encrypted version of Linux like Tails, Discreet Llinux, or Qubes OS. If you must use Windows 10, make sure you disable all tracking features during the installation process and don't use Cortana.
Method 2 of 5: Using ProtonMail
Step 1. Open the inkognito window in a web browser
To open the inkognito window, click the three dots or dash icon in the upper right corner of the browser window. After that, select New Incognito Window ”, “ New Private Window, or a similar option.
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Notes:
If you used the TOR browser to create a Protonmail account, you will need to enter your phone number to confirm that you are a human (not a bot). However, the phone number will not be saved or linked to the account.
Step 2. Enter the address https://protonmail.com/signup into the browser
The ProtonMail account registration web page will load. Protonmail is the best option if you need an email address to use regularly. This service does not hide your address, but prevents IP address tracking, and does not require you to include any personal information during the account creation process.
You can use the TOR browser to create a ProtonMail account
Step 3. Click the FREE title
This text is at the top of the page.
Step 4. Scroll down and click SELECT FREE PLAN
It's at the bottom of the " FREE " section.
Step 5. Enter a username for your email address in the "Choose username" field
Make sure you choose a username that doesn't reflect your real name, personality, location, or other personal information.
Step 6. Enter and re-type the password
Use the "Choose a password" and "Confirm password" fields to enter a password. It is recommended that you choose a strong/secure password, but still easy to remember.
Step 7. Type your recovery email address into the "Recovery email" field (optional)
This step is not recommended because the information you provide may refer to or refer to you.
Step 8. Scroll down and click CREATE ACCOUNT
This value colored button is at the bottom of the page.
Step 9. Verify to make sure you are human
To verify identity:
- Check the " Email " box, then wait for the text field to change.
- Remark the box " CAPTCHA ".
- Check the box " I'm not a robot ".
Step 10. Select COMPLETE SETUP
This indigo button is at the bottom of the page. After that, your ProtonMail account will be created and your email inbox will load.
Step 11. Click the COMPOSE button
It's in the top-left corner of the page. After that, a new email window will open.
Step 12. Enter the recipient's email address
Type the address into the " To " field at the top of the " New Message " window.
Step 13. Type the subject / title of the message into the " Subject " field if you want
ProtonMail allows you to send emails without entering a subject/title line. If you want to add a subject, type an entry into the "Subject" field.
Step 14. Type a message into the main email window
Enter the content of the email you want to send. Make sure you don't include any clues that refer to real identities.
Step 15. Select SEND
It's in the lower-right corner of the email window.
Method 3 of 5: Using Guerrilla Mail
Step 1. Open TOR
TOR is an anonymous web browser that can be downloaded for free. If you have TOR installed on a USB fast drive, insert the drive into an empty USB port. Open “Tor Browser” app and double click “ Start Tor Browser ”.
Step 2. Enter "https://www.guerrillamail.com/" to the TOR address bar and press the button Enter.
You will be taken to the Guerrilla Mail web page. Guerrilla Mail is a useful service if you only need to send one anonymous email and don't need a reply. All replies received via Guerrilla Mail will be kept in your inbox for one hour before being permanently deleted.
Since there is no username or password in Guerilla Mail, anyone with an email address can view the inbox. If you need to provide someone else's email address, click the “ Scramble Address ” at the top of the page. Give random addresses in the column next to the checkbox to people who need that email address.
Step 3. Click the COMPOSE tab
This tab appears above the Guerrilla Mail page. After that, a new email form will load.
Step 4. Enter the recipient's email address
Type the email address to which you want to send an anonymous email into the " To " field at the top of the form.
Step 5. Enter the title or subject of the message
Type the subject of the email into the "Subject" field.
Emails with a clear title/subject line are less likely to be flagged as spam than emails that don't have a subject line
Step 6. Write a message
Type the contents of the email into the main text field and format it as you wish or need.
You can also add attachments (e.g. videos) up to 150 MB in size by clicking the “ Choose file ” in the upper right corner of the form, then select the desired file from your computer.
Step 7. Click Send
This button is under the tab “ COMPOSE, in the upper left corner of the form.
Step 8. Complete the reCAPTCHA test
To complete the test, click the box labeled " I'm not a robot ". After that, select the images containing the objects according to the instructions above the grid and click “ Next " Repeat this step as many times as needed.
You can keep the Guerrilla Mail website tabs open to view the reply message. However, once the tab is closed or you leave the site, you won't be able to see any more email replies
Method 4 of 5: Using Anonymousemail
Step 1. Open TOR
TOR is an anonymous web browser that can be downloaded for free. If you have TOR installed on a USB fast drive, insert the drive into an empty USB port. Open “Tor Browser” app and double click “ Start Tor Browser ”.
Step 2. Enter https://anonymousemail.me/ into the address bar of your web browser
Anonymousemail allows you to send emails from “fake” addresses.
- Keep in mind that Anonymousemail doesn't have an inbox feature so you can't see your email replies. However, you can include your real email address in the " Reply-to " field if you want to forward replies to your real address.
- Anonymousemail is free to use, but the service also has a premium version. This version is free of ads, and includes email tracking features (eg whether the message has been opened or not) and the addition of several attachments.
- Anonymousemail was previously inaccessible through the TOR browser during the test process.
Step 3. Add the recipient's email address
Type the address of the person you want to message in the " To " field. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
Step 4. Enter the message subject
Type the subject of the message into the "Subject" field.
Emails with a clear title/subject line are less likely to be flagged as spam than emails that don't have a subject line
Step 5. Write a message
Type the content of the email into the main text field and format it as you wish or need.
You can also add attachments (eg videos) up to 2 MB in size by clicking “ Choose file ” and select the desired file from the computer.
Step 6. Enter a fake name and email address (premium service only)
Type any name into the " Name " field in the top left corner of the page (eg Pia Palen), as well as any email address into the "From" field (eg [email protected]).
Step 7. Scroll down and click Send email
This red button appears at the bottom of the page. The created message will be sent to the recipient you specify under the name and email address you selected.
Step 8. Complete the reCAPTCHA test
To complete the test, click the box labeled " I'm not a robot ". After that, select the images containing the objects according to the instructions above the grid and click “ Next " Repeat this step as many times as needed.
Method 5 of 5: Using a Disposable Yahoo Email Account
Step 1. Go to https://mail.yahoo.com/ through your computer's web browser
The Yahoo inbox page will appear if you're already signed in to your account.
- If not, enter your Yahoo email address and password before continuing.
- If you don't have a Yahoo email address yet, you can create one for free.
- Keep in mind that any disposable Yahoo email address you use remains connected to your regular Yahoo account, and your computer's IP address can still be tracked. This means using this address needs to be the last anonymous option. Only use this option if you are not too concerned about privacy security.
Step 2. Click Settings
This option appears in the upper-right corner of the page, next to the gear icon. A drop-down menu will load afterwards.
If you are still using the old version of the Yahoo interface, click “ One click away from your upgraded Inbox ” first in the lower left corner of the page.
Step 3. Select More settings
This option is at the bottom of the drop-down menu. The “Settings” segment of Yahoo Mail will load afterwards.
Step 4. Click the Mailboxes tab
This tab appears on the left side of the page.
Step 5. Select Add under "Disposable email address"
This option is in the drop-down segment. A new email information form will load after that.
Step 6. Enter the alternate email address username and press Enter
You can choose any username. Type a name in the field under "Set Address". Use entries that are completely unrelated to you, your location/residence, or other information that refers to you.
Step 7. Enter keywords
Type in the password to create a disposable email address after the username you enter.
You can also enter a shipping name and description if you want
Step 8. Click Save
This button is below all columns. An email alias account will be created after that.
Step 9. Send message from alias account
All replies to emails you send through your alias Yahoo Mail account will appear in your main Yahoo account inbox. However, your real account address will not be shown:
- Click " Back to Inbox ” in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Choose " Compose ” in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Click the email address from the " From " field.
- Select the alias account that has been created.
- Enter the recipient's email address in the "To" field,
- Add a subject line in the " Subject " column if necessary.
- Add message text or attachments.
- Click the button " Send ” at the bottom of the page.
Tips
The limitations on the ProtonMail service are a maximum storage space of 500 MB and 150 messages per day. You can upgrade your account status to a paid account. This account includes 5GB of storage space and 1,000 emails per day, and is offered for less than US$5 per month. You can also get 10GB of storage space and unlimited number of emails for under $10 per month
Warning
- Using anonymous e-mail to carry out illegal or criminal activities does not guarantee that you will not be caught.
- Never use an anonymous email address to spam, be violent, or threaten someone. This is illegal and could result in prosecution if caught.
- Anonymous email IP address lookups are easy. To prevent your IP address from being discovered, you need to use a VPN when sending anonymous emails. You can also use the ProtonMail service as an alternative.
