Build a New Email Address

Topic 1.1: Why a Dedicated Email for Crypto Matters

• Content:
  • Explanation: Using a separate email for crypto reduces exposure of your personal email to phishing and hacking attempts.
  • Risks of using a personal email: Shared credentials, spam exposure, and account linkage.
  • Benefits: Isolation of crypto activities, easier monitoring for suspicious activity.
• Activity: Research and select a secure email provider (e.g., ProtonMail, Gmail, or Tutanota) that supports two-factor authentication (2FA).

 Using a dedicated email address—a unique email created solely for your cryptocurrency activities—reduces the risk of exposing your personal email (the one you use for everyday tasks like social media or banking) to phishing and hacking attempts.

Phishing is a scam where attackers send fake emails or messages pretending to be legitimate services (for example, a fake crypto exchange asking for your login details) to trick you into sharing sensitive information.

Hacking attempts occur when cybercriminals try to break into your accounts by guessing passwords or exploiting security weaknesses, often targeting emails linked to financial accounts like crypto wallets.

Why This Matters for Crypto Newbies.

When you start using cryptocurrencies like XLM (Stellar Lumens)—which is a digital currency designed for fast, low-cost transactions—you’ll interact with platforms like crypto exchanges (which are online marketplaces where you buy, sell, or store crypto, such as StellarX) or wallets (digital tools or apps, like the Lobstr wallet which we recommend for you to get started, that store your crypto securely). These platforms often require an email address for account creation, notifications, or password recovery. If you use your personal email, which might already be linked to social media, shopping accounts, or other services, you increase the chances of it being targeted by scammers. For example, if a hacker gets your personal email’s password from a data breach on a shopping site, they could access your crypto accounts if they share the same email.

Risks of Using Your Personal Email:

Shared Credentials. If you use the same email and password across multiple sites (for example, your Gmail for both Amazon and a crypto exchange), a breach on one site could compromise your crypto accounts. Credentials are your login details (email and password), and sharing them across platforms creates a single point of failure.

Spam Exposure. Personal emails often receive marketing emails or spam, increasing the chance of clicking a malicious link that leads to phishing. Spam refers to unsolicited emails, often containing scams or malware (which is harmful software that can steal your data).

Account Linkage. Using one email for crypto and non-crypto activities makes it easier for scammers to connect your identity across platforms, potentially exposing your crypto holdings. Account linkage means your online activities are traceable, reducing your privacy—a big concern in crypto, where anonymity is often valued.

Benefits of a Dedicated Email.

Isolation of Crypto Activities. A separate email ensures your crypto-related accounts (for example, your XLM wallet on Lobstr) are not tied to your personal life. This reduces the risk of a breach in one area (say, a hacked social media account) affecting your crypto. For example, if your personal G mail is compromised, your crypto email remains safe.

Easier Monitoring for Suspicious Activity. With a dedicated email, you only receive crypto-related notifications (for example, login alerts from Lobstr). This makes it easier to spot suspicious activity—unusual or unauthorized actions, like an unexpected login attempt from a new device. For instance, if you get an email from your crypto exchange about a login from another country, you can act quickly to secure your account.

Real-World Example. Imagine you use your personal email (let’s say, jane.doe at g mail.com) for both online shopping and your XLM wallet. A scammer hacks your shopping account, gets your email and password, and tries logging into your wallet. With a dedicated email (jane.crypto at protonmail.com), used only for crypto, that risk disappears because the accounts are separate. Plus, you’d notice a phishing email (like, a fake “Reset your wallet password” message) faster in a clean, crypto-only inbox.