Your email address can be a vulnerability when one of your accounts gets hacked. Once your login details are exposed, hackers can use them to attempt to log into other services online to see what else they can access.
However, there may be a solution on the horizon, and Google seems to be leading the charge. A new feature called “Shielded Email” has been spotted in the Gmail app for Android devices. This feature would allow users to create disposable email addresses, also known as temporary burner email addresses, that would forward emails to their real account.
While my colleague Michael Crider discussed how Shielded Email could help combat spam, there is another important benefit to this privacy protection: enhanced online security. By using a random and unique email address for each account, it becomes more difficult for hackers to exploit data breaches to gain access to other accounts. This concept is similar to masked email services, but with a key advantage – users would not need to sign up for a separate service.
With nearly 2 billion Gmail users worldwide, the introduction of the Shielded Email feature could significantly elevate standard privacy practices. If this feature were to be offered for free, it would surpass Apple’s comparable feature, Hide My Email, which is currently exclusive to paying iCloud+ subscribers.
I am optimistic about the potential of this feature. Google has been actively enhancing its security and privacy features, such as dark web monitoring and improved passkey support in its password manager, without requiring a Google One subscription. Given the increasing frequency of data leaks and breaches, it is becoming crucial to rethink current practices to stay ahead of hackers who exploit vulnerabilities.
Alaina Yee, a seasoned technology and video games journalist with 14 years of experience, covers a wide range of topics for PCWorld. Since joining the team in 2016, she has written about CPUs, Windows, PC building, Chrome, Raspberry Pi, and more, while also being PCWorld’s go-to for finding the best deals. Currently, her focus is on cybersecurity, educating individuals on the best ways to safeguard themselves online. Her work has been featured in publications such as PC Gamer, IGN, Maximum PC, and Official Xbox Magazine.
