How to sign up for websites without getting spammed!

A little secret for those of you who would like to join various websites (flying or otherwise) without having to divulge your "real" email address to spammers!

There are many sites that will let you create a "one-time" instant email so that you can use it to receive the confirmation email from a website that you would like to join. Now, this would not be a good idea for a site like Trikepilot Social, because we need to continually send you email to notify you of messages or other posts that concern you. For a "one time" site, such as downloading software or obtaining a music player widget, etc., this idea is the best idea.

My favorite site is called Mailinator . You can create ANY name you want @mailinator.com and it will work. For example, trikepilot@mailinator.com is just perfect. When you need to submit an email, use whatever@mailinator.com as the address. Then, when the site tells you to retrieve your confirmation link, go to Mailinator and enter the "whatever" name you submitted in the upper right corner of the screen. This will take you to an open mailbox that should have your confirmation message waiting for you!

Now, a couple of caveats. First, this does not work with every site. Many savvy tech sites don't allow Mailinator email addresses because they know what the site does and they black list the domain. Second, this is an OPEN email address, so don't use it for private information or sensitive information because it is possible (though unlikely) that someone could randomly type your prefix name and see the email. The service typically deletes all messages within 24 hours, but you would never know for sure. You could use it to get a sensitive login name and then go to that site and change the login username and password after you have confirmed your membership however.

All in all, this is a fantastic way to complete the ridiculous and tedious confirmation messages that are almost always required these days, even for sites that have no chance of interacting with you in the future. Try it and see!