From e92b78f32ba5ccdd7687794ccbd733680556b79f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Lorenzo Cogotti Date: Fri, 1 Jul 2022 11:48:39 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] [content/blog] Add email article. --- content/blog/treat-email-right-kat-arena.md | 141 ++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 141 insertions(+) create mode 100644 content/blog/treat-email-right-kat-arena.md diff --git a/content/blog/treat-email-right-kat-arena.md b/content/blog/treat-email-right-kat-arena.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e1ba10 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/blog/treat-email-right-kat-arena.md @@ -0,0 +1,141 @@ +--- +title: "Treat your email right. Kat-arena" +mobile_menu_title: "Treat your email right" +date: 2022-06-30 +Author: "Katerina" +description: "Kat-arena is trying to make sure her major internet identification, the email, is secured nicely. but getting rid of spam for free is not that easy." +series: [ "Kat-arena" ] +categories: [ "software", "privacy" ] +tags: [ "email", "privacy", "tracking", "Free Open Source Software", "FOSS" ] +news_keywords: [ "email", "privacy", "tracking", "Free Open Source Software", "FOSS", "webmail", "webmail system" ] +--- + +# Treat your email right + +Email was born as a more convenient and rapid way to exchange messages +in an attempt to replace physical letters. +Indeed, this is what has happened in the 50 years that passed since its inception. +Nowadays email is considered an absolute basic communication medium. +It is required for accessing almost any digital, and sometimes physical, service +(even the dentist asked for my email address!). +As such, an email address may convey more personal details than a physical one. + +So, today seems like a good time to update your email safety. + +Your email address is split in 3 major parts +(as specified by [RFC-5322](https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc5322#section-3.4.1)): + +```goat { width=400 height=240 } + .-------------------------. .-----------. + |username (the local-part)| |Domain name| + '---+---------------------' '-+---------' + \ / + \ / + username @ domain.com + | + | + .--------+----------. + |at-sign separates | + |username and domain| + '-------------------' +``` + +Usually the domain name conveys information about your affiliation or your email +service provider. + +Having multiple emails, unaffiliated with a company, +is a common way to protect your digital privacy, improve decentralization +of the Internet, and help confining and reducing spam. + +To put it in Lorenzo Cogotti's words: + +> The strategy works by making it harder to associate different services' +> subscriptions together by a single email address, reducing the chance to +> track you. Keep in mind though, that other information may still be used +> to link them together (e.g. there's still your phone number). + +## Some basic tips + +Let's cover some basics on how you can improve your safety even with +non Free and Open Source (FOSS) email solutions. + +* To minimize tracking, don't open your inbox inside a browser + (**webmail** **client**), prefer installing specific software + (**mail client**, **email reader**). + Otherwise, the safety of the inbox contents is in the hand of the browser + as much as the email provider. +* Avoid sending "heavy" files or any important document via email. + The first ones have a high chance of never reaching the recipient due to + attachment filters. While the other ones may be scanned automatically by your + email service provider or accessed in case your email password's leaked. + Some alternatives are, for example, file-sharing platforms with restricted + access or actual physical devices. +* Use different accounts for social media authorization, + e-commerce and subscription services. Do not share this email anywhere. + The same goes for deliveries. +* For any suspicious website or one-time promo solutions, + consider an auto-generated email with an automatic verification function + (below). + +This won't be enough to ensure you won't receive spam. +In practice, we have to accept nothing on the Internet can guarantee you a 100% +spam-free life, unless you use services expressly designed to fight spam and +promo emails. However, it will make the lives of those who are trying to +reach you, for this reason, a bit more complicated. + +## What about email service providers? + +This partially settles the problem with other services using email addresses to track us, +but what if we suspect **the email service provider** is the one scanning us? + +Probably, the best bet would be configuring your own mail server. +Unfortunately, it cannot be considered gratis or easy, but if you are a +business owner or an enthusiast it may be viable. +Creating a domain is not enough, as managing emails needs storage space +on a server. Which practically means buying a piece of hardware. +Prices range from 30 to several thousands euros, with the basic options being +a good solution for small initiatives and individuals. +For some business owners, the hardware price and the increase in energy bills +may justify renting a server. +Though, running it still requires advanced knowledge and maintenance. + +The average user may look for simpler solutions, like relying on existing +servers provided by dependable mail service providers. +Surely, it is not that easy. + +Let's introduce a sad fact about our world. + +> Nothing is gratis. + +As we have just seen, running a mail hosting server is not trivial. +It involves expensive hardware, complex knowledge, storage space, +disaster recovery plans, web traffic distribution and Internet domain management, +to name a few, - so, it is naïve to expect it all free of charge. + +In fact, it is not. +Even when there is no subscription fee, one should look for a more complex one. +Most "gratis" mail services actively track their users' data, +for further monetization, such as targeted advertising. +In other words, some mail servers may scan your emails or share the history of +your message with third parties and governments. +This practice is not considered illegal, as some of this data is +not regarded as personal or sensitive. +Plus, a user should be aware of everything as they are always welcome to read +the 20+ pages of Privacy Notice to understand how their data is treated +(and do not forget to check yearly privacy updates timely). + +Additionally, big famous mail servers are the most popular targets of attacks +and consequent password leaks, plus their email addresses are easier to guess. +As for smaller ones, if you are unsure where to look, it is not obvious to +avoid third-party involvement and ensure data safety. +For example, numerous services still use ReCaptcha, a service by Google +(the existential "I am not a robot" thing). + +So, it is important to stay informed and make sure you understand how the +service treats your data and who can access it. + +The [Free Software Foundation](https://www.fsf.org/resources/webmail-systems) provides some interesting insights on the subject. + +Stay informed, and stay safe! + +Katerina