TrashMail

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TrashMail (TrashMail.net) is a free disposable e-mail address service created in 2002 by Stephan Ferraro, a computer science student at Epitech Paris which belongs now to the FERRARO Ltd.. The idea was to create temporary email addresses to protect against spam mails.[1] It mainly forwards emails to a real hidden email address.[2]

Contents

[edit] Description

TrashMail receives emails and forwards then to a real hidden email address. On account creation there is the option to set a number of total forwards and a date when the disposable email expires. For each forwarded email the counter is decreased by 1. When the counter reachs 0 or the date limit is expired then the temporary email address will be deleted. After the temporary email address is deleted, any incoming email is rejected by the SMTP code 550 5.1.1. TrashMail provides also a free Mozilla Firefox Add-On which is open source and downloadable on the official Mozilla Firefox website. The email registration and community forum are provided by a HTTPS (SSL over HTTP) access to protect privacy. Additionally the SMTP server communication has TLS enabled.

As many spammers rely on harvested email addresses, the best method of avoiding spam is not to publish your email address.[3] By providing a temporary address, TrashMail allows users to protect their real email.

[edit] Extras

TrashMail distinguish between other disposable email address services by its possibility to use the Challenge-Reponse System for each free disposable email address. Additionally it provides a real-time spam stats on its main page. Its so possible to verify the current incoming spam amount on this site.

[edit] Software

TrashMail can be used by its homepage on www.trashmail.net. However an API is provided and documented on the forum which explains how to write custom software to use for free the service. The following TrashMail software has been written:

  • Mozilla Firefox Add-On[4][5]
  • TrashMail for Netvibes
  • TrashMail Widget for Mac OS X
  • TrashMail for Google Gadgets
  • TempMail for Windows 2000/XP
  • CCTrashmail for Windows 2000/XP

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ “Sneakemail sorts out spammers”, Manly Daily, March 31, 2004 
  2. ^ Self-destructing e-mail address service”, The Hindu, July 26, 2004, <http://www.hindu.com/biz/2004/07/26/stories/2004072600541600.htm>. Retrieved on 28 March 2008 
  3. ^ Krasne, Alexandra (June 24, 2004), “GeekTech: Welcome to the Geek Club”, PC World, <http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,116602-page,1-c,rambusdramrdram/article.html>. Retrieved on 28 March 2008 
  4. ^ Trash mail (Firefox extension)”, PCtipp.ch, November 6, 2006, <http://www.pctipp.ch/index.cfm?pid=1362&pk=34469>. Retrieved on 28 March 2008 
  5. ^ Jatzek, Von Gerald (October 27, 2006), “Wegwerfadressen gegen Spam”, Wiener Zeitung, <http://www.wienerzeitung.at/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3930&Alias=wzo&cob=254103&currentpage=0>. Retrieved on 28 March 2008 

[edit] External links